Inventory 3408
Surat · 574 pages · 219 segments · open at the Nationaal Archief ↗
English
171 190. It has been a fixed and unalterable custom 191. that we punish our own servants and subordinates 192. whenever they have committed offenses in our service, 193. that is, whenever they served us poorly or stole anything from the Company or from us, 194. without anyone among the regents ever having interfered with it, nor being permitted to interfere, 195. as will be testified by all the merchants and inhabitants of this city who are aware of the ancient customs, 196. and as is also practiced by us daily. 197. For, however much we are willing to concede that the Nabab, by virtue of the power granted to him, has the right to correct all offenses of the inhabitants, 198. it remains nonetheless certain that he has never interfered in such domestic affairs of ours, nor is he permitted to interfere. 199. This can apply even less to the case in question, where a maluarij who works daily in the warehouses finds opportunity to pick up from the floor a few small spices, consisting mostly of dust and clove heads, and to take them along to his house, which were taken from him along the way by this Parsi and brought into his house. 200. And it is therefore a certain truth that this Parsi did not steal them himself, 201. but took them back from a maluarij who intended to steal. 202. He had even, just before his house was occupied by the Nabab's sepoys, 203. given notice to our fiscal that he had a small bag of spices at his house, which he had taken from a maluarij who might possibly have concealed them during the weighing out on several occasions. 204. But suppose for a moment that this Parsi had indeed stolen the spices from the lattij, 205. and thereby deserved an exemplary punishment, 206. the Nabab would surely have been obliged, 207. if he claimed to be entitled to this execution of punishment, 208. to demand this man—as well as his entire family and their ancestors being in our service and under our jurisdiction— 209. from our Director; 210. whereupon, assuming the theft had truly been committed, 211. we would not have delayed for a moment in handing him over to justice 212. as a subject unworthy of our protection. 213. However, the Nabab has never demanded him from us, 172 214. but before the man was heard, and without leaving him any defense, 215. not only occupied his house and property with armed men, 216. but even the sepoys of the Honorable Dutch Company 217. who had been stationed there to see that the property of this Parsi, as a subordinate of the same Company, was not plundered, 218. and that those spices, which were said to have been stolen from us and thus ought to be returned to the Company, were not taken away, 219. were forcibly removed from there and taken into custody in the derbhaar, where they still remain. 220. An act so outrageous 221. that no one can produce any precedent for it, 222. and which, if it were to occur more often in the future, would compel our Company either to move away from Surat 223. or to take other measures with the Nabab, 224. as there can no longer be any safety for us 225. if the servants of the Company and its subordinates are simply seized and detained under arrest, 226. and if one intends to prevent us from punishing those same servants and subordinates in cases where they commit offenses in our own service. 227. For thereby we would, from a set of merchants—as Your Honors are pleased very erroneously to title us—not only become lower than the meanest banyan, 228. but would become unable to entrust the Company's vessels and goods, as well as those of our own, to people who could deal with us at will 229. without having to fear the least punishment from us. 230. A matter which contains absurdity in itself, 231. which cannot be defended without committing a great injustice, 232. and which we think therefore also requires no further argumentation. 233. For which reason we now also trust 234. that Your Honors, instead of demanding from us that we make any apologies on that account to the Nabab, 235. will no longer delay in maintaining us in our right, 236. and by doing so oblige the same Governor to rectify this matter immediately, 237. as it will thereby become evident 238. that Your Honors faithfully fulfill your repeatedly made assurances. 239.
Dutch transcription
171 190. / Een vast en onveranderlijk gebruijk geweest is. 191. / Dat wij onse eijgene Dienaeren en onderhoorigen afstraffen. 192. / Wanneer ze in onse dienst misdaan hadden. 193. / Dat is wanneerse ons off kwaelijk dienden, off de Compagnie dan wel ons iets ontvreemden. 194. / Sonder dat sig ooit iemand der regenten daarmede bemoeijt heeft, nog bemoeijen mag 195. / soo als zulx door alle de kooplieden en Inwoonders deezer stad, welke de oude Gewoonten bewust sijn, sal worden getuijgd. 196. / En ook also dagelix door ons gepracticeerd word. 197. / Want hoe zeer wij ook willen toestemmen dat de Nabab uijt hoofde van de hem verleende magt het regt heeft om alle misdaeden van de Jngeseetenen te Corrigeeren. 198. / Soo blijft het niet minder seker dat hij zig met diergelijke onse domestucque saaken nimmer bemoeit heeft, nog bemoeijen mag. 199. / Het geen te minder plaats kan hebben in het geval in quastie daar een maluarij die dagelijx in de pakhuijsen werkt gelegentheijd vind om eenige weinige specerijen meest bestaande in stoff en kroontjes van de grond op te raapen en mede na zijn Huijs te neemen en welke hem onder de weg door dezen persie worden afgenomen en en zijn Huijs geborgen. 200. / En het dus eene sekere waarheijd is dat deesen peusie selfs niet gestoolen. 201. Maar het van een maluarij die voornemens was te steelen te rug genomen heeft. 202. / Hebbende hij zelfs even bevoorens sijn Huijs door 's Nababs sipaijs beset wierd. 203. / Aan onsen fiskaal kennis gegeven, dat hij een klein sakjen met specerijen aan zijn huijs had, welke hij van een maluarie die in differente reijsen se mogelik onder het uitweegen hadde beschaard afgenomen had. 204. / Dog voor een ogenblik gesteld deeze persie had in der daad de specerijen uijt de Lattij gestolen. 205. / En daar over een Exemplaise straffe verdiend. 206. Soo was immers den Nabab verpligt geweest. 207. Wanneer sustineerde tot deeze strafoeffening geregtigd te zijn. 208. / Om deesen man als benevens sijne geheele Fami„ „lie so wel als hunne voorouders in onsen dienst en onder ons sorteerende. 209. / Van onzen Directeur op te Eischen. 210. / als wanneer ondersteld de Diverije waarlik was gepleegd. 211. / Wij geen ogenblik souden hebben Getardeerd hem aan de Justitie over te geven. 212. / Als een voorwerp onze protectie onwaardig. 213. / Alegter heeft de Nabab denselven nimmer van ons 200. gevorderd „ 172 gevorderd. 214. / Maar alvorens de man verhoord was, en sonder hem eenige defencie over te laaten. 215. / Sijn Huijs en Goed met gewapend volk bezet, niet alleen 216. / maar selfs de sipaijs van de Ed: Hollandse Compagnie 217. / welke aldaar waaren geplaatst om te zien dat de goederen van deesen persie als een onderhorige van dezelve Compagnie niet geplunderd. — 218. / En dat die specerijen welke men seijde dat van ons gestoolen waaren en dus aan de Compagnie te rug komen moesten niet weggenomen wierden. 219. Van daar met geweld weggevoerd en in den der„ „bhaar in gevangenis gebragt, alwaar se nog sijn. 220. / Een bedrijff soo schreuwend. — 221. / Dat er niemant eenig voorbeeld van voorbrengen kans. 222: / En dat ingevalle voortaan meerder gebeurde onse Compagnie noodzaaken soude of oms van soeratte te verhuijsen. 223. / of om andere maatregulen met den nabab te neemen. 224: / also er geene veiligheijd voor ons meer zijn kan. 225. / Wanneer de Dienaeren van de Compagnie en haare onderhoorigen maar worden opgevat en in arrest gehouden. 226. / En men ons wil beletten, om dieselve dienaeren en onderhooren aftestraffen in gevallen dat in onzen 227. / want daar door souden woe van een stel kooplieden so als uwel Ed:s goedvinden ons zeer verkeerdelijk te dituleeren, minder worden dan den Geringsten benjaan niet alleen. 228. /Maar zouden onvermogens raaken om 'sComp:s vaartuijgen en Goederen, so wel als die van ons selven te vertrouwen aan Lieden welke met ons souden kunnen Handelen na welgevallen. 229. Sonder eenige de minste straffe van ons te vreesen te hebben. 230. / Eene zaek welke de absecrditeijt selver insluijt 231. / Die niet kan worden Gedefendeerd sonder een groote onregtvaardigheijd te pleegen. 232. / En welke wij denken dat oversulx ook geene verdere adstructie nodig heeft. 233. / al waaromme wij dan ook nu vertrouwen 234. / Dat uwel Ed: in steede van ons het maaken van eenige Excuses desweegens aan den Nabab aftevorderen. 235. / niet meer sullen trainneeren om ons bij ons regt te maintineeren. 236. / En dus doende denselven Gouverneur verpligten deeze zaak immediaat te beteren. 237. / als sullende hier door geblijken. 238. / Dat uwel Ed: derselver te meermaalen Gedaane verzeekeringen getrouwelijk nakomen. eijgenen dienst misdoen. eigenen 239.
English
And to maintain us in the prerogatives and privileges granted to us by that same supreme authority, in whose name the city and castle are governed, whereby we will also be spared the urgent necessity of bringing Your Honors' own obligations so frequently to your attention. This has been all too often necessary since the year 1762. For however much it pleases Your Honors, gentlemen, to remind us of our present situation, which Your Honors are pleased to describe as better than before, this very letter of Your Honors demonstrates that such improvement is far to seek, and that we must never flatter ourselves with it. Since Your Honors became the masters of the Surat castle, you seem to have forgotten that we are a privileged Company, which is itself a power in the Indies, and which we hope will not be degraded by being equated with Your Honors' own status when you brand us with the name of a set of merchants, and wish to treat us on the footing of a common banyan, against whom one would still very rarely act in such a manner as has been done with us for some time past. And truly, gentlemen, it can do very little to excuse Your Honors before the impartial world that whenever the Nabob does us injustices and Your Honors do not see fit to prevent them, Your Honors pretend an ignorance of our privileges that cannot possibly be true, considering it must be beyond all contradiction that his Mughal Majesty Alemgier the Second, when in the sixth year of his reign, on the 11th of the Moorish month Moharram in the year 1173 or on the 2nd of December 1759, he saw fit to confer the governance of the castle at Surat, which had previously been mastered by Your Honors' troops, upon the Honorable English Company, at the same time handed over to Your Honors all charters and papers concerning the government of the city, together with such privileges and farmans as His said Majesty and his illustrious ancestors had granted to us. And this is clearly evident when Your Honors say that you are so well informed of the Nabob's privileges. Therefore, the demand which Your Honors make to have copies of our farmans can only give us an unfavorable impression of Your Honors' intentions, however much we might hope for the contrary. Indeed, we can find no other reasons for this demand than that Your Honors wish to see whether we have properly preserved all those farmans which were granted to us by the Mughals, or whether any of them have been lost. And wherefore Your Honors will please not take it amiss that we cannot judge ourselves obliged to produce all these our farmans, except in so far as it shall be necessary and as has also been practiced by us repeatedly. Meanwhile, we cannot view the request made to that end as anything other than a chicane, which is now being fabricated to muddle matters as much as possible, considering it has always been evident that we have never made any request to Your Honors that was not grounded upon the same. And we have also repeatedly shown to Mr. Price, and in the time of Mr. Draper, some of those which we deemed necessary, at Their Honors' request and to spare them the trouble of having them fetched from the castle, just as once again with this writing, for Your Honors' convenience, some extracts from the same have been attached. And while we regret that in this matter we are unable to comply with Your Honors' requisition, we must further briefly remark that in many cases we need no farmans, since constant custom, especially in these lands, constitutes a law, and these customs are known to all merchants of the city, without our having found it necessary or indeed attempted to introduce new ones, or to regard mere favors, which we have never enjoyed from the Nabob, as privileges. And forgive us, gentlemen, that we cannot understand how Your Honors see fit to plead thus for the conduct of the Nabob, since Your Honors are convincingly aware of it, along with many others and especially with us, without our needing to detail His Excellency's conduct further. And were this properly regulated, we would never have need to trouble Your Honors daily with requests for protection against him, whereas now, to describe all the impediments to trade, unpleasantries, and chicanes that are inflicted upon us daily, we would require quires of paper.
Dutch transcription
173 239. / En ons bij de voorregten en privilegien ons door dieselvde oppermagt verleend. 240. / uit welkers naam de stad en Casteel bestierd word blijven maintineeren. 241. / als waar door wij dan ook buijten de hooge noodzaake sullen kunnen blijven. 242. / van uwel Ed:s desselfs verbintenissen soo dikwerff voor ogen te houden. 243. / Het geen sederd het Iaar 1762. maar al te dikweaff nodig geweest is. 244. / want ttoe seer het uw Ed: mijne Heeren ook behaagd ons te willen helpen geheugen onse tegenswoordige situatie. 245. / die uw Ed:s beter dan bevorens gelieven te noemen 246. / soo toond deeze selfde uwelEd: missive aan dat die beterschap verre te soeken is. 247. / En dat wij ons daar meede nimmer flatteeren mogen. 248. / also uwel Ed:s sederd de meesters van het Souratse kasteel geworden zijn al schijnen te hebben vergeeten. 249. / Dat wij eene gepriviligeerde Compagnie sijn 250:/ Die selfs eene mogendheijd in de Jndien is. 251. / En welke woe niet verhoffen, als ze egaal word gesteld, met die van uwelEd: selven. 252. Wanneer ons bestempelen met den naam van een stet koop„ „lieden. 253. /. en ons willen tracteeren op den voet van een gemeen, bewjaen. 254. / Tegens welke men nog seer selden sal ageeren, indiervoegen als zederd eenigen tijd met ons geschiet is. 253. / En waarlijk mijne Heeren het kan uw wel Edele bij de onpartijdige waereld seer weijnig verschoonen 256. / Dat uw welEd: telkens wanneer de Nabab ons verongelijkingen aandoed en uw wel Ed. niet goedvinden die te beletten. 257. / voorwenden eene onkunde van onse voorregten die on„ „mogelijk waar zijn kan. 258. / Geconsidereerd het buijten eenige tegenspraak zijn moet. 259. / off zijne mogolse majesteijt Alemgier de tweede, wanneer in het selfde Iaar sijner regeeringe den 11. e van de moors maand mozen in het Jaar 173: ofte op den 2. xber: 1759: 260. / Goedvond om het bewind over het Casteel te souratta. 261. / dat bevorens door uw wel Ed: Troupes vermearderd was. 262. / Op te dragen aan de Edele Engelsche Compagnie. 263. / heeft ter selver tijd aen uw lEd: overgegeven alle Chartres en papieren tot de Regeering der stad betreffelijk. 264. Met en benevens sodaane privilegien en firmans als Gem: sijne Majesteijt en sijne Doorlugtige voor ouderen aan ons verleend hebben. 265: / En dit geblijkt duijdelijk wanneer uwel Ed. seggen, soo wel te sijn onderrigt van des Nababs voorregten. 266. / sulx de instantie welke uwelEd:s doen, om Copien onsere Fiamans te hebben. 267. / ons niet anders als een ongunstig denkbeeld van als uw Ed:s 174 uwel Ed:s voorneemens geven kan. 268. / Hoe zeer wij ook het tegendeel verhoopen. 269. / Immers wij kunnen voor deeze instantie geene andere redenen vinden. 270. / als dat uw welEd:s willen sien of wij alle die pirmans nog wel bewaard hebben. 271. / Welke aen ons door de Mogols sijn verleend dan of 'er ook eenige van deselve zijn verlooren. 272. / En waarom uwelEd: ons niet kwalijk gelieven te neemen. 273. / Dat wij ons niet verpligt oordeelen kunnen totide productie van alle deese onse firmans, als voor soo verre sulx nodig sal zijn en ook bij ons te meermalen gepracticeerd is. 274. Terwijl wij het daar toe gedaane versoek niet anders kunnen aansien als een Chicane welke men thans om de zaken soo veel mogelijk te brouilleeren maken wil. 275. / Geconsidereerd het altoos gebleeken is. hebben 276. / Dat wij uwelEd: nimmer eenig versoek ^ gedaan, dat niet op dezelve was gequondet. 277. /Een wij ook te meermalen aan de Heer Price en ten tijde van de Heer Draper eenige van dezelve welke we nodig oordeelden, op hun Edeles versoek en om Haar de moeite weg te neemen, van die uijt het Casteel te laaten haalen vertoond hebben. 278. / zoo als weder bij deeze schriftuur tot uwe EEd: Com- „moditijt eenige Extracten uit dezelve gevoegd zijn 279. / En daar het ons leed doed, dat we in deezen onvermogens zijn aan uwel Ed: Requisitie te voldoen. 280. moeten we nog kortelijk remarqueeren, dat toe in veele gevallen geene firmans nodig hebben. 281. / Alsoo de Constante gewoonten voor al in deeze landen eene wet maakt, en deeze gewoonten bij alle kooplieden. van de stad bekend zijn. 282. / sonder dat wij het nodig of immers getragt hebben, om nieuwe intevoeren. 283. / off men enkelde gunsten die we nimmer van den Nabab genooten hebben als voorregten aante merken. 284. / En vergeeft ons mijne Heeren, dat we niet beseffen kunnen. 285. / Hoedanig uw wel Ed:s goedvinden dus voor het gedrag van den Nabab te pleeten. 286. / Daar uw wel Edele het zelve met veele en voornament„ „lijk met ons overtuijgend bewust is. — 287. Sonder dat wa nodig hebben sijn Excellenties Conderente nader te detailleeren. 288. / En was deeze nabehooren ingerigt nooit souder we noodig hebben uwel Ed: dagelijx met instantien tot maintien tegens hem te vermoeijelijken. 289. / Daar we nu om alle de beletselen in den Handel ongenoegelijkheeden en Chicanes die ons dagelijx worden toegebragt te beschrijven boeken papier souden benodigt zijn. „moditeijt 290.
English
However, in order not to enlarge this significantly with the narration of matters of which no one can be unaware, we shall further follow the thread of your Honor's missive. And it will fully convince your Honor that people are to be found who take pleasure in constantly stirring up disputes. When, with regard to the complaint of the Nabob concerning a dispute with Boetoesa, your Honor will please to consider the following as a certain truth: That when the Banyan merchant Tabitas Nagerdas, belonging under the protection of our Noble Company, went bankrupt and fled in the month of July last, Leaving behind a debit, among many others, of ro/as 39240: 17 to the same Company; And we decided thereupon on the 7th of August to inventory the goods of the said Tabitas and to take them into provisional custody for the indemnification of our Paymasters; The warehouse master Wellenberg made a request to us That there might be delivered to him from the warehouses of the aforementioned Tabitas Such 45 cannassers of candy sugar as were still found there, and which he, the warehouse master, had delivered to the same, among other goods from the Company's Pattijs; In order to pay from the proceeds thereof the tolls of the Company to the English and Marhettas gentlemen; And which request being granted by us, Out of consideration that this sugar had been delivered for the tolls of the Noble Company, and must always remain as collateral for it, Since the same tolls, to an amount of 5070 ro/as, had been left unpaid by Tabidas, although the greater part of the delivered goods had also been alienated by him; Provided, however, that the said warehouse master declared to us by handclasp in lieu of oath That these 45 cannassers were the very ones that had been delivered by him to Tabitas for the satisfaction of the tolls; As appears from an extract from our resolution of the said 7th of August under No. 6. Thus the Banyan merchant Saa Rettenjie Gokel addressed himself To our assembly by petition on the 15th of that month, a copy of which accompanies this under No. 7, With the request that the aforesaid 45 cannassers of sugar might be delivered to him, On the grounds that he had advanced money on loan to Tabitas upon the same, as well as upon some spices; Which goods had been pledged to him by the same Tabitas for that purpose, And thus, by the flight of the same, should belong to him in ownership. Which petition, having subsequently been placed into the hands of the warehouse master Hollenburg by decision of our assembly No. 8, With orders to submit a report thereon; The same was also complied with by him on the 18th of the more-mentioned month, see the said report No. 9; Whereupon it appeared very clearly to us: Firstly, that the contract which the said Banyan had submitted, and which accompanies this as No. 18, Was not of the required validity, but on the contrary bore all the marks of having been drawn up after the flight of Tabidas, Since it was not signed by the contractor, but by his brother Siwidas, with whom he had not traded together in two years; And this according to the very confession of this Gokel, fully a month after Tabidas was already out of the city and a fugitive; That this sugar was found in the warehouse of Tabitas and of no one else; And thirdly, that the same document in no way showed that the sugar was sold, But only that it was pledged, with commission to claim it for him; Since Tabidas declared therein that he had given the goods to Saa Kettingjie Gokel to sell for them, and that he had received a sum of Ro/as 8490:— at ¾ per cent per month from that Banyan, and left the said goods in pledge for it; Which could in no respect be valid, Because Tabidas was in no way authorized to pledge the goods of the Noble Company that were placed into his hands for the payment of the country's dues; And this Jokel also was not unaware that these goods did not belong to Tabidas, but had been delivered to him for the satisfaction of the tolls. And for all of which reasons we then, on the same day, as appears from our decision under No. 10, After the warehouse master had rendered the declaration mentioned hereinbefore in articles 303 and 304, namely that this was the very sugar that he had delivered for the toll, Deemed it proper to persist in our decision of the 7th of August, mentioned hereinbefore in Article 305, And consequently to have the more-mentioned 45 cannassers of candy sugar delivered to the warehouse master.
Dutch transcription
175 290. / Al egter sullen wij om deeze niet merkelijk te vergrooten met het verhaal van zaaken, die niemand onbewust kan sijn de draard van uwelEd: missive al verder volgen. 291. / En het zal uw wel Edele ten vollen overtuijgen dat er lieden werden gevonden die vermaak scheppen om gestadig questien te moveren. 292. Wanneer ten reguarde van de kleegte van de Nabob omtrend een verschil met Boetoesa uwelEd: het volgende als een seekere waarheijd sullen gelieven 293. / Dat wanneer den onder de protextie van onse Edele Compagnie behoorenden beniaans koopman Tabitas Nagerdas in de maand Iulij laast leeden was komen te failleeren en weggevlugt. 294. / Met agterlating van een Debet onder veele andere van ro/as 39240: 17. aan dezelve Compagnie. 295. / en wij op den 7. aug:s daaraan beslooten om de Goederen van Gemelde Tabitas tot schaadeloos stellinge van onse betaals Heeren te Jnventariseeren en bij provisie en bewaaringe te neemen. 296: / Den pakhuijsmeester Wellen berg aan ons versoek deed. 297. / Dat aan hem mogte worden afgegeven uijt de pakhuijsen van voorm: Tabitas. 298. Sulke 45. Cannassers Candij zuijker als alchaer nog gevonden waaren en hij pakhuijsmeester onder meer andere Goederen uijt 'sComp:s Pattijs aan te overwegen. denselven afgegeven had. 299. / om uijt dies provenue de Thollen van de Compagnie aan de Heeren Engelschen en Marhettas de voldoen. 300. /. En welke versoek bij ons sijnde toegestaen. 301. / uijt Consideratie die zuijker voor de thollen van D' E. Compagnie afgegeven was, en altoos daar voor den onderpand en verblijven moesten. 302. / Alsoo deselve Thollen tot een bedragen van 5070. ro/as door Tabidas onbetaald gelaaten waaren schoon ook de meerdere afgegevene Goederen door hem waaren vervreemd: 303. Mits dat egter de gem: pakhuijsmeester aen ons bij handtastinge in plaats van Eede verklaarde, 304. Dat deeze 45. Cannaessers dezelve waaren, welke door hem aan Tabitas tot voldoening der Thollen. waaren, afgegeven. 305. Blijkens een Extract uijt onse Resolutie van den gemelden 7. Aug:s sueb N:o 6. 306. Soo adderesseerende sig den benjaans koopman Saa Rettenjie Gokel. 307. / aen onse vergadering bij Request op den 15. van die maand, waarvan de Copia deesen bijgaat onder 308. Met versoek dat de voorsz: 45. Cann:s suijker aan hem mogten worden afgegeeven. 309. (uijt hoofde hij op dezelve als meede op eenige specerijen aan Tabitas geld ter leen geschooten hadde 310. / Die Goederen daar voor door denselven Tabitas aen denselven hem N:o 7. 176 hem waaren verpandet. 311. / En dus door de aufugie van denselven aan hem in eijgendom behooren zoude. 312. welk Request dan vervolgens bij besluijt onser ver„ „gadering N:o 8. gesteld zijnde in handen van den pakhuijsmeester Hollenburg: 313. / met ordre om daarop te dienen van Berigt. 314. soo wierd zulx ook door denselven op den 18. van meer„ „genoemde maand nagekomen, vide het selve berigt No. 9. 315. /Wanneer ons seer klaarlijk gebleek 316. 11 primo:/ dat het Contract zoo den gemelden benjaen hadde overgelegd en deezen bijgaat N:o 18: 317. niet was van de vereijschte validiteijt, maar daar en tegen alle de tekenen droeg van na de vlugt van Fabidas samen gesteld te zijn. 318. (Alsoo het niet door den Contractant, maar door zijnen broeder Siwidas met dewelke bij in geen twee Jaaren had te samen Genegotieerd, getekend was. 319. / Ende zulx volgens de eijgene Bekentenis van deesen Gokel, wel een maand na dat Tabidas al uijt de stad en voortvlugtig was. 320. / Dat deeze zuijker was bevonden in het pakhuijs van Tabidas en van niemand anders. 324. / En ten 3. dat het selve papier Geensents aantoonde dat die suijker was verkogt. 322. 322. / maar eenelijk dat verpandet was, met Commissia om die voor hem te vindiceeren. 323. /Also Tabidas daarbij verklaarde dat de goederen aan Saa Kettingjie Gokel had gegeeven, om voor hun te verkoopen, en dat hij een Summa van Ro/as 8490:—. tegens ¾. p:r C:o smaands van dien Benjaen ontfangen had, en daar voor de gedagte goederen in pand liet. 324. / Het welk in geene opzigte dugtig sijn konde. 325. / uijt hoofde Tabidas geensints was bevoegd om de Goederen van D' E. Comp: soo tot betaalinge van de lands Geregtigheeden aan hem waaren ter Hand gesteld te verpanden. 326. / En deeze Jokel ook niet onkundig is geweest dat deese Goederen niet aan Tabidas behoorden, maar aan hem voor de voldoeninge der Thollen afgegeeven waaren. 327. / En om alle welke reedenen wij dan denselven dage blijkens ons besluijt onder N:o 10: 328. /Na dat den pakhuijsmeester de hier vooren art: 303. en 304. gem: verklaaringe dat dit nament„ „lijk deselve suijker was die hij voorThol had afge„ „geven had gepresteerd. 329. / Goedvonden bij ons besluijt van den 7. aug:s hier voren Art: 305. vermeld te pressisteeren. 330. / En dien volgens de meergedagte 45. Cann: Candij zuijker aan den pakhuijsmeester te laaten afgeeven. 331.
English
From all of which we trust that Your Honour will be assured that, in accordance with the rules of equity, we have applied the strictest justice, and that the city Governor, merely to dredge up everything possible to cause us trouble, has made a very unfounded complaint to Your Honour, whereas he should have been obliged to dismiss this merchant out of hand if he had come to complain to him on his own accord. Indeed, gentlemen, it is not merely that Your Honour has been approached with unfounded complaints in order, if possible, to turn the whole world against us out of private resentments, but every effort has even been made to place events that give us legitimate cause for complaint in a contradictory light, and to present them as though the Company's servants were entirely in the wrong. And to this end, the alleged complaints of the Nabab against our broker Manchergie serve as a clear example, as if he had committed various acts of violence and insults against—NB—the subjects of the Nabab, just as if the city had now already become the property of His Excellency and no longer belonged to the Great Mogol. Whereas it is nevertheless certain, and if necessary provable, that when our brokers, according to a custom among all the merchants of Souratte, had sent two sepoys, who were provided by the Dutch Company, to a certain coppersmith in Souratte who is said to be protected by Your Honour's broker Dense Cha, in order to demand from him settlement of his arrears for merchandise, and with orders to remain there until payment had at least partially followed, some people were sent there on behalf of the city Governor, who forcibly drove the aforementioned sepoys away from the house of this coppersmith with threats that if they returned there, the Nabab would have their hands and feet cut off. A conduct, gentlemen, not only so violent and of such far-reaching implications that it would make our stay in Souratte impossible, because our brokers are thereby prevented from recovering outstanding debts for merchandise and satisfying our Company, but also entirely contrary to our privileges, as the accompanying copies from the firmans granted to us by the Mogol under No. 5, advanced earlier in art. 162, will clearly show Your Honour that the respective Regents of Souratta are obliged to afford us all help and assistance in recovering our debts whenever we make a request to that end, without being permitted to tolerate that anyone, whoever he may be, protects and shields these our debtors in any way. And for which reason we most urgently insist with Your Honour that the Nabab be obliged to withdraw such orders and to allow the brokers peacefully and undisturbed to collect their claims, just as His Excellency, on 6 December 1772, when a complaint was publicly lodged with him about this improper conduct, indeed agreed to do, although he subsequently trampled that same promise underfoot again. Meanwhile, we must further request Your Honour that the Nabab may be obliged not to refuse an audience to the brokers of the Honourable Dutch Company as often as they are sent to His Excellency by our Director on public commissions for the service of our Honourable Company, and as the Nabab saw fit to do on 20 August and 21 ditto, on the grounds that Manchergie gave such a bad name to DanSicha. Herewith, then, we shall for the present consider Your Honour's agreeable letter of 29 December aforesaid answered, having already had the honour on 2 January last to send Your Honour our reply to the affair of Deannaat, in the hope and certain expectation that Your Honour will be fully persuaded: that we have shown all accommodation to the Nabab regarding the liquidation of his debt to the Honourable Company, vide art. 32 to 44; that His Excellency truly placed a chowki or garrison on the garden of the Honourable Company and on the person of the Director on 24 December 1772, and on that account publicly apologized on 9 October thereafter, from art. 61 to art. 168; that the occupation of the house of our servant and dependant of the Company, as well as the taking into prison and detention of the Company's salaried servants, is an act full of violence and injustice, from art. 179 to 240; that in the case with the banyan Saa kettinghjie Jokel, whom Your Honours call Boetoesa, we have applied the strictest justice, from art. 290 to 335.
Dutch transcription
177 331. / uijt alle het welke wij vertrouwen dat uw Edele versekerd sijn sullen. 332. / Dat wij volgens de regulen van Equiteijt het aller„ „strakste regt Geadmiteerd hebben. 333. / En dat den stads Gouverneur om maar alles bij een te trappen wat mogelijk was om ons moge„ „lijkheeden aantedoen. 334. / Bij uw Ed: eene zeer ongefundeerde klagte gedaen heeft. 335. / Daar hij verpligt was geweest om deezen koopman so al van sig selven bij hem mogt geklaagd hebben van de hand te wijzen. 336. / Ja het is niet alleen mijne Heeren dat men uw Ed:e net ongefundeerde klagten voorgekomen is. — 337. / Om was het mogelijk de geheele waereld tegens ons uijt particuliere Ressentimenten te annimeeren 338. / maar men heeft selfs alles aangewend om gebeurtenissen die ons regtmatige reedenen tot klaagen geeven. 339. / Jn een strijdig dagligt te stellen 340. / En zodanig te vertoonen als of 'sComp:s Dienaeren in het volkomenste ongelijk waaren. 341. / En Hier toe verstaekt tot een klaare blijk de voorgeven de klagten van den Nabab tegens onze makelaar Manchergie. 342. / als had die verscheijden geweldenarijen en beschem„ „pingen gepleegd. — 343. / aen NB: de onderdaanen van den Nabab eeven of de stad nu al den eijgendom van zijn Excellentie geworden was, en niet meer aan den grooten Mogel behoorden. 344. / Daar het egter seeker en des noods bewijselijk es„ 345. / Dat wanneer ons Makelaars volgens eene Gewoonte onder alle de kooplieden van souratte. 346. / Twee sipaijs welke waar van de Hollandse Compagnie gegeven sijn. 347. / Wadlen gesonden bij seekere kooper slager te souratie die men segt dat door Uwel Ed:e makelaar Dense Cha geprotegeerd ward. 846. / om van den selven te vorderen voldoening van sijn agter . „weesen aan waare. 349. / En met Last om aldaar te blijven tot de betalinge ten minste voor een gedeelte gevolgd was. 350. namens den stads Gouverneur aldaar eenig volk gesonden is geworden. 351. / Die de voornoemde sipais met geweld verdreenen hebben van het Huijs van deezen koperslager 352. met dreijgementen dat zoo aldaar weeder kwamer, den Nabab Haar handen en voeten soude afkappen Laaten. 353. Een gedrag mijne Heeren niet alleen sodanig Ge „weldadig, en van zulke verre uijtsigten dat het ons het verblijf te souratte onmogelik maken zoude. 354. / om dat onze makelaars daar door belet worden waare uijtslaande schuldent bekomen, en onse Comp: te voldoecq. 343. 355. 178 355. / maar ook ten eenmale strijdig met onze privilegien. 356. / als sullende de neevensgaande Copien uijt de firmans ons door den Mogol verleend onder N:o 5. hier vooren art: 162. G'avanceerd. 357: / uwelEdele klaarlik doen sien, dat de respective Regenten van Souratta 358. / verpligt zijn om ons in het invorderen onser schuld, „vorderingen, alle Hulp en assistentie te bewijsen wanneer wij daar toe versoek doen 359. Sonder te mogen Gedogen dat iemand wie hij ook zijn moge, dezelve onze schuldenaaren op eenige wijze pro „tigeerd en beschermd. 360. /En waarom wij wel instantelijk bij uw Edele insisteeren om den Nabab te verpligten van diergelijke ordres intetrekken en de Makelaars vreedig en ongestoond haare pretentie te laaten invorderen. 361. / soo als zijn Excellentie op den 6. December 1772. wanneer over dit oneijgen gedrag publicq, bij hem geklaagd is, wel„ „aangenomen heeft te doen. 362. / Schoon dezelve belofte na dies weederom met voeten getreeden heeft. 363. / Terwijl wij uwel Edele alverder moeten versoeken dat de Nabab mag werden verpligt om de makelaars van de Edele Hollandse Comp: geen gehoor te weigeren. 364. / soo meenigmaal dezelve door onzen Directeur aan zijn Excellentie in publicq Commissien voor den dienst van onze Edele Comp. gezonden worden. 365. / En soo als den Nabab heeft kunnen goedvinden te doen op den 20. Aug:s en 21. dito. 366. / om reedenen dat Manchergie sulk een quade naam aan DanSicha gaff. 367. / Hier meede dan sullen wij uwEd: aengename van den 29: december voorm: voor het tegenwoordige voor b' antwoord houden. 368. /als hebbende bereeds op den 2. Januarij J:o leeden d' Eere gehad uw Ed: ons antwoord op de affaire van Deannaat te laten 369. / Ja de Hoopde en seekere verwagtinge. 270. / Dat uw Ed: ten vollen sullen zullen zijn Gepersuadeert. 371. /. Dat we alle inschikkelijkheijd met den Nabab omtrend de Lequidatie van zijn schuld aan D'E Comp: gehad hebben vide art: 32. a. 44: 372. / Dat zijn Excellentie waarlijk op den 24. xber: 1772. een tjokjen of bezetting op de Thuijn van D' E. Comp: en den persoon van den Directeur geset. 373. / En diesweegens op den 9. october daaraan publicq Excuus gevraagd heeft van art: 61. tot art: 168. 374. / Dat het bezeten, van het Huijs van onzen Dinaar en onder „hoorige van de Comp: §75. /: mitsgadens het in gevangenis neemen en houden van s Comp:s bezoldigde Dienaaren. 376. / Een Acte is vol van gewelden onregt ad vert: 179. tot 240: 377. / Dat we in het geval met den benjaan Saa kettinghjie Jokel /:die uwel Edeles Boetoesa noemen:/ Het allerstrikste regt g'admiteert hebben van art: 290. tot 335: toekomen. 378.
English
378. And finally, that the Nabob has sold our privileges and trampled them underfoot, when he hindered the brokers from collecting their debts according to custom, even refusing an audience, from Art. 336 to Art. 360. 379. That Your Honours will accordingly no longer delay in obliging the Nabob. 380. To atone for the violence and injustice done to us. 381. And henceforth to allow us peacefully and undisturbed to enjoy those privileges and prerogatives granted to us by the sovereign Lord of these lands. 382. As well as those appertaining to us by virtue of ancient and constant customs. 383. And thus concluding this, we have the honour to be with much respect; below stood: Right Honourable Sir and Sirs. Lower: Your Honours' very humble and obedient servants. Was signed: J. M. Rossen, J. v. d. Sleyden, F. B. Zimmerman, C. van Citters Aarendszoon, R. C. de Vassij, W. L. Sontag, J. J. Bocquet, and E. N. Wiardi. In the margin: Souratte the 24th of February Anno 1773. Still lower stood: P.S. Although we can no longer delay the dispatch of this, because the Nabob persistently continues to press for an answer to all such articles as we have answered herein, we nevertheless declare to reserve for ourselves all such complaints as we shall deem necessary to make for the maintenance of our lawful right, concerning matters which in the meantime, while this was sent elsewhere for translation, were attempted and put into effect by the Lord Governor of the city to our great prejudice and public affront, and which we therefore leave postponed until such time and while we have someone at hand proficient enough in language to make Your Honours understand our intentions. Bombaij. To the Right Honourable, Highly Esteemed Mr. Willem Hornbij, Esquire, President on behalf of the Honourable English Company and Governor of His Britannic Majesty's Castle there, together with the Council. Right Honourable, Highly Esteemed Sir and Sirs. Pursuant to what we had the honour to communicate to Your Honours in our dispatch of the 9th of January last, we on the 13th following dispatched the members of our assembly, the gentlemen Sluysken and Holmberg, to Your Honours on a public commission with all such instructions as they should have the honour to bring to Your Honours' notice. However, since that commission upon its arrival there found the Governor so indisposed that it was impossible to discharge their true instructions, and we have since for reasons decided to recall Mr. Holmberg back here, we therefore let this serve to request Your Honour to please give credence to all representations and transactions which Mr. Sluysken, who has remained at Bombaij, shall make to and with Your Honours; while we shall hold valid whatever shall be performed by him on our behalf. Wherewith we have the honour to be with all respect. Below stood: Right Honourable, Highly Esteemed Sir and Sirs. Lower: Your Right Honourable, Highly Esteemed and Honourable sirs' obedient servants. Was signed: J. M. Rossen, J. v. d. Sleyden, N. Holmberg, F. B. Zimmerman, C. van Citters Aarendszoon, R. C. Vassij, W. L. Sontag, J. J. Bocquet, and E. N. Wiardi. In the margin: Souratte the 4th of March Anno 1773. The Honourable William Hornby Esqr, President for affairs of the Honourable English East India Company and Governor of His Great Britannic Majesty's Castle, and Council, Bombaij. Honourable Sir and Sirs: In consequence of what we had the honour to mention in our Letter of 9th January last, we on the 13th following have committed the members of our Board, Messrs: Sluysken and Holmberg, with all such charge as they should have the honour of bringing to your knowledge. As these gentlemen upon their arrival have not been able on account of the Honourable the Governor's indisposition to fulfill their commission, and that afterwards we have resolved to recall Mr. Holmberg on account of the service, so we now embrace the opportunity to request that you will be pleased, Honourable Sir and Sirs, to give credit to all such representations and transactions which Mr. Sluysken, now remaining in Bombay, will have the honour to do; which all shall be held of value what is by him transacted in our name. We have the honour to remain with high esteem: Honourable Sir and Sirs, Your Honours' most obedient and most humble servants. Surat, 4th March 1773. Having found ourselves honoured yesterday with Your Honour's esteemed dispatch of the 2nd instant, there have thus emerged from it, to our particular regret, two matters of great consequence: the first, that Your Honours state to have found our recently dispatched letter, along with the accompanying charters and proofs, insufficient to depart from Your Honours' earlier opinions contained in a dispatch of the 29th of December 1772, while Your Honours solely rely on a further explanation which is to be sent to us upon the recovery of Your Honours' Chief; And secondly, that Your Honours again wish to compel us, as if by force, to acknowledge you, my Lords, as Mediators and Protectors in disputes that we have with the Government, and which we must roundly declare we never would have had, were it not... To the Right Honourable, Esteemed Mr. Willem Andries Price, Esquire, Chief regarding the affairs of the Honourable English East India Company and Governor of the Mogul's Castle and Fleet, together with the Council. Right Honourable Sir and Sirs.
Dutch transcription
179 378: / En eijndelijk dat de Nabab onze privilegien verkogt en met voeten getreeden heeft, wanneer de makelaars heeft belet, om haare schulden na gewoonte in te vorderen elfs audientie weijgerende, van tat. 336. tot Art: 360: 379. / by dat uwe lEdeles dienvolgens als nu niet langer zullen traineeren om den Nabab te verpligten. 380. / van het ons aangedaan geweld om onregt te beteken. 381. / En ons voortaan vreedig en ongestoord te laaten Joursseeren van die privilegien en voorregten als ons door den souve„ „rainen Heer deeser Landen vergund zijn. 382. / mitsgaders aan ons Competeeren uijt Hoofde van de oude en Constante gewoontens. 383. / En dus dan deesen eijndigende, zoo hebben wij d' Eer met veel agting. te zijn; /:onderstond:/ Wel Edele Heer en Heeren. /:lager:/ uwel Edeles zeer ootmoedige en Gehoorsame dienaren. /:was getekend:/ J. M. Bosman, . . - - -. : , J. v. d. sleijden, „ - - - - - , F: B. Zimmerman, C. v:n Citters aarend zoon, R. C. de vassij, W. L. Sontag, J. J. Bocquet, en E: N: Wiaadi /:in margine:/ Ceratte den 24. Februarij A:o 1773: /: nog lager stond:/ P. P. Schoon wij niet langer kunnen uijtstellen het afzenden dezes, ter oorsaake den Nabab bij aanhou„ „dentheijd blijft aandringen op antwoord op alzulke articulen waarover wij in deezen hebben g'antwoord zoo betuijgen wij nogthans aan ons Gereserveerd te houden, alle zodanige klagten als wij tot maintier van ons wettig regt sullen nodig agten te moeten doen, over zaaken dewelke er in den tusschen tijd dat deeze ter vertaling elders afgesonden was tot ons groot nadeel en publicq affront, door den Heere stads Gouverneur sijn getendeerd en in het werk gesteld, en dewelke wij dier„ „halven tot zoo lange uijtgesteld laaten, ter tijd en wijle wij iemand aan handen hebben, taalkundig genoeg om uw Ed:s onze instentien te kunnen doen verstaan. ter Bombaij. Aan Den Wel Edelen Groot Agtbaaren Heer Willem Hornbij schildknaap president van wegens. de Honnorable Engelsche Compagnie en Gouverneur van zijn Groot grittanse Majesteijts Casteels aldaar Den Raad. Benevens Wel Edele Groot Agtbaaren Heer Heeren. Ingevolge van het geen wij de Eer hadden uwel Edeles te bedeelen bij onse missive van den 9. Jann: laest leeden, hebben wij den 13. daaraen volgende de Leeden onser vergadering De Heeren Pluijsken en Holmberg aen uwelEd:s in een publicque Commissie afgevaerdigd met al sulken Last als zij lieden d' Eer zouden hebben uwel Ed:s ter kennisse te brengen. Dan vermits dien Commissie bij Haar arrivement â Costij, den Heer Gouverneur dermaeten onpasselik gevonden heeft, dat het waar ondoenlik is geweest sig te kwijten van waeren Last, en wij zederd om redenen hebben beslooten om den Heer Holmberg dit heen te rug te roepen soo doen wij leesen dienen om uwel Edele te versoeken van Gelooff te willem Geever aen alle voorstellingen en wandelingen welke den Heer Sluijsken No. 6. 180 18 The Honosrable William Hornby Esqr sluijtken die te Bombaij verbleeven is, aen en met uwel Ed:s doen zal; Terwijl wij van waarde sullen houden alles wat door denselven naemens ons zal worden verrigtel. Waar meede wij d' Eer hebben met alle agting te sijn. /:onderstond:/ Wel Edele Groot Agtbaare Heer en Heeren. /lager:/ uwel Edele Groot Agtbaares En wel Edelens Gehoorsaeme Dienaaren /was getekend/ J. M. Bosmats. . . . . , J. V. d. Hleijden, N. Holemberg F: B. Zimmerman, C. v:n Citters aarend zoon, R C. vassij, W. L. Sontag, J. J. Bocquet en E:s N: Wiardi. /:in margine:/ Couratte den 4. Maart A:o 1773: President for affairs of the Huble English East Jndia Companij and Gouvernour of his Great Brita, S„nik Majestys Castle Mss: Council Bombarj. Honourable fir & firs: In consequence of what we had the honour to mention in our Letter of 9t Januarij last, we on the 13t folloving have committed the mimbers of our Board, Mesrs: Sluysken H Holmberg with all such Charge, as they should have the honour bringing to tjour knowledge: As these Gentlemen now in their arrival has not been able an account of the Honourable the Gouvernours indisposition to fullfill their Commisssion, & that afterwards we have resolved to Translatien recall I 182 Surat 4:ten march 1773: recall Mr. Holmberg an account of the service, so we now embrace the opportunity to request that asoil will be pleased Hanourable fir & sirs to give Credit to all such representations & Trans actions which mr. Sluysken now remaining in Bbay will have the hanour to do; which all shall be held of value what is by him transacted in our name We have the hansur to remain with high Esteeme: Hanourable fir & firs Gour hanours most obedient & most humble servant. Ons op gisteren vereerd gevonden hebbende met uwel Ed:e geagte missive van den 2. de kujs, is dus daaruijt tot een bijsonder Leetweesen twee zaken van veel oplettentheijd voorgekomen, het eerste dat uwel Edele onse Jongst af„ „gevaardigde missive met de daarbij verzellende Chartees en bewijsen zeggen onvoldoende te hebben bevonden, om van uwelEd: vroegere Gevoelens en in ene missive van den 29. December 1772: vervat, te kunnen afgaan, verwijl uwel Ed: allenig appuijeren op ene nadere verklaaringe die ons bij herstellinge van uwel Edeles opperhoofd staat toe= „gesonden te werden; En ten Tweeden, dat uwel Edele weder als met geweld ons willen dwingen, om uw Ed: Mijnen Heeren te erkenneen voor Middelaren en Beschermers in verschellen die wij met de Regeringe hebben, en die wij kond uijt moeten verklaren nummer te zullen hebben Gehad waren Hr. Heer en Weeren. Benevens Den Raad. Den Wel Edelen Agtbaren Heer Willem Andries Price Schuldknaap opperhoofd wegens de zaken der Edele Engelse oostjndische Compagnie en Gouverneur van Smogols Casteel en Vloot Aan uwel Edele N:o 7.
English
183 your Honour has not been disinclined to protect the Nabob against us in an unjust manner, not to use a more significant expression, in the greatest trifles, and to take private differences as your basis to oppress the General Dutch Chartered East India Company and to seek, if it were possible, to rob it of true liberties. This is at present the case between us and Your Honours, my Lords, and so clear that every mortal having the least knowledge of Surat affairs will find upon investigation that we have not in this matter deviated a single dot from the path of truth. And we rest completely assured that a providential Almighty, who sees all unlawful attempts however cautiously they may be laid according to the evil knowledge of men, the whole impartial world, yes, Your Honours' own high Superiors, my Lords, when we might finally be forced to present all our lawful complaints to Their Honours, will vindicate us, and will never be able to approve Your Honours' conduct, which your Honour seeks to cloak with plausible friendliness, when the whole concatenation of events shall have been dissected. We at the same time assure your Honour that all these unpleasantries pain us to the very soul, and that we wished nothing more dearly than to be able to settle them in a proper and sustainable manner. But how will that be possible, my Lords, if your Honour cherishes such a high opinion of yourself and seeks to treat the General Dutch Chartered East India Company, which we directly represent in these regions, as conquered subjects, or taken at best, as vassals who fall at the feet of their rulers to implore goodwill and clemency; for in these matters we have as yet petitioned your Honour for no other role than that of mediators or protectors. True it is that Mr Hodges in the year 1762, taking advantage of the old and valetudinarian ruler who was weighed down by the burden of years, forced him to accept his mediation; but the memory thereof is imprinted in our hearts in such vivid colours that we would far rather see our blood shed one by one than, by our voluntary application, afford an opportunity to render us such a service again. Please accept our frankness, my Lords: your Honour's offered mediation and protection demands nothing less than our duty as free Dutchmen, who just as well as free Britons have a natural abhorrence of everything that smacks of tyranny and domination. We can therefore, my Lords, by no means acknowledge your Honour as mediators, but must demand of Your Honours, as possessors of the Castle, that your Honour, in accordance 184: in accordance with your repeated promises made to us and pursuant to the guarantee of our residential rights, both by your Honour yourself and by the Honourable Lord President and Council at Bombay, will oblige the Nabob to do us justice regarding all such articles over which we have complained in our latest missive of 24 February last, or elucidated to Your Honour, and above all to withdraw a general stoppage of our trade and linen collection that has occurred since that time; and to allow us peacefully to continue our trade and affairs in a reputable manner, since the Company's vessels have lain unloaded with linens from outside for nearly 3 weeks; and the dispatch of our returns is thereby made almost impossible, which we consequently will also be able to attribute to no other causes than those aforementioned: without it pleasing Your Honour to insist any longer upon the production of our firmans, which we must as yet decline as before, for reasons mentioned in our last missive, and because we are unable to take such a step without the prior knowledge of our high Rulers, who must necessarily direct our conduct in this case. And all this has been placed before Your Honour's eyes so often that we are assured, in case Your Honour had been pleased to have the kindness either not to invent this pretext at all, or to present it properly to Your Honour's own high Superiors, Your Honours would, in our opinion, never have found an opportunity to cover yourselves with this pretense. Speaking of our privileges, my Lords, we can once again perceive no good intentions in the demand for them, nor can our lawful refusal, which in all sound statecraft cannot be disapproved of, serve in the least, as Your Honour is pleased to say, to put a bad face on a good matter; but rather this demand of Your Honour demonstrates that Your Honour continues to press for a matter which Your Honours know to be impossible for us, and presents it to Your Honour's Superiors as very necessary, expressly to find thereby some appearance of reason to obstruct our trade, as has now happened, and to compel us to the ruin of private individuals in order to satisfy unreasonable demands. Indeed, my Lords! We must ask Your Honour a heartfelt question: how could Mr Spencer and his successors, and moreover your High Council, before and after the capture of the Castle, guarantee all our privileges in case they had been ignorant of those very privileges?
Dutch transcription
183 uwelEdele niet genegen geweest den Nabab tegens ons op eene onbillijke wijze te protegeren (:om geene significanter expressie te gebruijken:) in de grootste beuzelingen, en particuliere verschillen tot uw grondslag te neemen, om de Generaele Neder„ „landsche Geoctroijeerde oostJndische Compagnie te verdrak„ „ken, en van ware vrijheden was het mogelijk te tragten te berooven. Dit is het geval tegenwoordig tusschen ons en Uwel Ed: mijn Heeren, en zoo klaar dat ieder sterfeling de minste kennisse van de souratsche zaken hebbende, bij onderzoek binden zal; dat wij in deesen geen enkeld stipje van de weg der waarheijd afgeweken zijn, En wij houden volkomen ons verzekerd dat ene voorsienige almagt: die alle onregt„ „matige aanslagen dewelke hoe voorsigtig ook volgens de boose kennisse van menschen aangelegd werden mogen, de heele onpartijdige Waereld za uwel Ed:s eijge Hoffe superier„ „ren mijne Heeren ons eijndelijk wanneer wij Genoodzaakt werden mogte Haar Ed:s alle onse regtmatige klagten voortedragen, zullen stellen in het gelijk en uwel Ed:s gedrag het welk uwel Edele met schoonschijnende vriendelijkheeden tragten te bekleeden nimmer zullen kunnen Goed keuren wanneer alle aan eenschakelingen van Gebeurtenissen zullen wezen ontleed. — Wij betuijgen uwel Edele teffens dat ons alle deeze onaangenaemheden, in onze kiele smerten, en dat wij niets Liever wenschten als dezelve op een betaamelijke en bestaanbaare wijze te kunnen vereffenen, maar hoe zal zulx mogelijk zijn kunnen Mijnen Heeren, als uwelEdele van zicg zelven zulken hogen opinie voeden, en de Generaale Nederlandsche Goctroijeerde Oostjndische Compagnie dewelke wij direct in deze gewesten represen„ „teren; als overwonne onderdanne zacken te behandelen of op zijn best genomen, als vasallen die 't voet vallende hare Gebieders Goedwilligheijd en Clementie komen implore ren; Jmmers hebben wij uwel Edele en deze zaken nog geene andere als Middelaaren of Beschermers gesuppliceerd. Wel is waar dat M:r Hodjes in A:o 1762. voordeel makende met de oud en valetudinair gebieder die door den last der Jaren gedrukt wierd, en denselven genoodzaakt heeft desselfs mediatie aen te neemen maar het Geheugen daarvan is met zulke Levendige verwen in onze harten gedrukt dat wij veel Liever een voor een ons bloed willen zien vergieten dan door ons vrijwillig aansoek gelegendheijd verschaffen, ons weder diergelijken dienst te bewijsen. Gelieft onse openhartigheijd te agreeren mijne Heeren, uwelEd: aangebodene middelaarschap en Bescherminge vorderd niets minder van onze pligt als vrije Nederlandeas, die zoo wel als vrije Britten een natuurlijke afschuur hebben voor alles wat smakende is naa dwingelandije en overheerschinge. Wij kunnen dierhalven Mijne Heeren Uwel Edele als geene mediateurs erkinnen, maar moeten van uwel Ed:s als bezitters van het Casteel eijsschen, dat Uwel Edele ingevolge zal 184: ingevolge derzelver herhaalde beloften aen ons gedaan en na luijd de Guarantie onzer woonregten zoo wel door uwe Edele zelven, als door den wel Edelen Here president en Raad te bombaij, den Nabab verpligten zullen ons regt te doen omtrend alle zoodanige articulen als waar over wij bij onse Jongste missive van den 24. Februarij Jongst Leeden hebben gedoleerd, of aan UwelEd: opgehelderd en voor al ene zederd die tijd voorgevallene Generaele Stremming van onze Negotie en Lijwaat insaam te willen intetrekken; en ons vreedig onsen Handel en wandel op eene reputabele wijze te willen Laten voortzetten, also 'sComp:s vaartuij„ „gen zederd bij na 3. weeken met Lijwaten van buijten ongelost gelegen hebben; En daar door de versending onser Retouren bijna onmogelijk gemaakt werd, het welk wij dan gevolgelijk ook aen gene andere oor„ „saken als de voorwaards gemelde zullen kunnen toe„ „schrijven: zonder dat het uwelEd: behage Langer op de productie onzer firmans te insesteeren, het welk wij als nog moeten declineeren gelijk bevoorens om redenen als in onse laatste missive vermeld, en dewijl wij zulken stap niet vermogens zijn te doen buijten vooriwe„ „ten onser hoge Gebiederen, die ons gedrag in dit geval noodwendig moeten bestieren. En dit een en ander is uw Ed: zoo dikwils voor oogen gehouden, dat wij versekerd zijn ingevalle uwel Ed: de vriendelijkheijd hadden Gelieven te hebben of om deze uijtvlugt in 't geheel niet uijt te vinden, dan wel dezelve, behoorlijk aen uwelEd: eijgene hoge superieuren voortedragen, nooijt zouden na onze gedagten uwelEd:s gelegentheijd gevonden hebben zig met deeze schijn te dekken. van onse voorregten spreekende Mijne Heeren kunnen wij nogmaals gene Goede voornemens bespeuren in derselver opeijnchinge, nog kan onse regtmatige weijsgeringe en die in alle Goede staatkunde niet kan werden afgekeurd in het minste strekken om gelegt uwel Ed. gelieven te zeggen eene goede zaak een quade aanschouw te geeven, maar veel meer toond deze uwEd: vorderinge aan dat, uwelEd: ene zaak die uwel Ed:s weeten voor ons onmogelijk te zijn blijven aandringen, en bij uwelEd: supperieuren als zeer noodzaakelijk voordragen om Expras daar door eenige schijn van reden te kunnen vinden van onze Handel te stremmen, gelijk nu gebeurd is en ons te dwengen tot de ruine van particulieren om onkillijke vorderinge te voldoen. Jn der daad Mijne Heeren! wij moeten uwEd: ene harte„ „lijke vrag doen; toe kan de Heer spencer en zijne opvol„ „geren, en daaren boven uwen Hogen Raad voor en na het innemen van het Casteel onse alle voorregten gu„ „auranderen ingevalle zij die zelve voorregten hadden geignoreerd — noodwendig Veredert e g
English
184: pursuant to their repeated promises made to us according to the terms of the guarantee of our privileges, both by Your Honour yourself and by the Right Honourable Lord President and Council of bombaij, you shall oblige the Nabab to do us justice regarding all such articles about which we complained in our recent missive of 24. February last, or explained to Your Honour, and to withdraw the general stoppage of our trade and cloth collection that has occurred since that time, and to allow us peacefully to pursue our trade and dealings in a proper manner, as the Company's vessels have lain unloaded for almost 3. weeks with cloths on both sides; and thereby the dispatch of our return shipments has been made nearly impossible, which we consequently can ascribe to no other causes than those mentioned above: without it pleasing Your Honour to insist any longer on the production of our firmans, which we must still decline as before for reasons stated in our last missive, and because we are not capable of taking such a step outside the orders of our high masters, who must necessarily direct our conduct in this matter. And all this has been brought to Your Honour's attention so often that we are certain, had Your Honour been so kind either not to invent this pretext at all, or else properly to represent it to Your Honour's own high superiors, Your Honour, in our opinion, would never have found the opportunity to cover yourself under this appearance. Speaking of our privileges, Gentlemen, we can once again perceive no good intentions in the demand for them, nor can our lawful refusal, which cannot be disapproved of in any sound policy, in the least serve, as Your Honour is pleased to say, to put a bad face on a good matter; but rather this demand of Your Honour shows that Your Honour continues to insist upon a matter which Your Honour knows to be impossible for us, and represents it to Your Honour's superiors as very necessary, expressly in order thereby to find some appearance of reason to obstruct our trade, as has now occurred, and to force us, to the ruin of private individuals, to satisfy unreasonable demands. Indeed, Gentlemen! We must ask Your Honour an earnest question: how could Mr. spencer and his successors, and moreover your High Council before and after the capture of the castle, guarantee all our privileges if they had been ignorant of those very privileges— necessarily further
Dutch transcription
184: ingevolge derzelver herhaalde beloften aen ons gedaan na luijd de Guarantie onzer voorregten zoo wel door Juwer zelven, als door den welEdelen Here president en Rad bombaij, den Nabab verpligten zullen ons regt te doe„ omtrend alle zoodanige articulen als waar over wij onse Jongste missive van den 24. Februarij Jongst hebben gedoleerd, of aan UwelEd: opgehelderd en voor ene zederd die tijd voorgevallene Generaele stren„ van onze Negotie en Lijwaat insaam te willen intelr en ons vreedig onsen Handel en wandel op eene reper wijze te willen Laten voortzetten, alsoo 'sComp:s v: „gen zederd bij na 3. weeken met Lijwaten van bei„ ongelost gelegen hebben; En daar door de versen onser Retouren bij na onmogelijk gemaakt werd, welk wij dan gevolgelijk ook aen gene andere „saken als de voorwaards gemelde zullen kunnen „schrijven: zonder dat het uwel Ed: behage Langer op productie onzer firmans te insesteeren, het welk als nog moeten declineeren gelijk bevoorens or redenen als in onse Laatste missive vermeld, en de wij zulken stap niet vermogens zijn te doen buuijten „ten onser hoge Gebiederen, die ons gedrag in dit ge noodwendig moeten bestieren. En dit een en ander is uw Ed: zoo dikwils voor oogen gehouden, dat wij versekerd zijn ingevalle uwel Ed: de vriendelijkheijd hadden Gelieven te hebben of om deze uijtvlugt in 't geheel niet uijt te vinden, dan wel dezelve, behoorlijk aen uwelEd: eijgene hoge superieuren voortedragen, nooijt zouden na onze gedagten uwelEd:s gelegentheijd gevonden hebben zig met deeze schijn te dekken. van onse voorregten spreekende Mijne Heeren. Kunnen wij nogmaals gene Goede voornemens bespeuren in derselver opeijnchinge, nog kan onse regtmatige weijsgeringe en die in alle Goede staatkunde niet kan werden afgekeurd in het minste strekken om gelegt uwel Ed. gelieven te zeggen eene goede zaak een quade aanschouw te geeven, maar veel meer toond deze uwEd: vorderinge aan dat, uwelEd: ene zaak die uwel Ed:s weeten voor ons onmogelijk te zijn blijven aandringen, en bij uwelEd: supperieuren als zeer noodzaakelijk voordragen om Expres daar door eenige schijn van reden te kunnen vinden van onze Handel te streemmen, gelijk nu gebeurd is en ons te dwengen tot de ruine van particulieren om onkillijke vorderinge te voldoen. Jn der daad Mijne Heeren! wij moeten UwEd: ene harte„ „lijke vrag doen; Hoe kan de Heer spencer en zijne opvol„ „geren, en daaren boven uwen Hogen Raad voor en na het innemen van het Casteel onse alle voorregten gu„ „auranderen ingevalle zij die zelve voorregten hadden geignoreerd — noodwendig verders g 184: ingevolge derzelver herhaalde beloften aen ons gedaan na luijd de Guarantie onzer voorregten zoo wel door Jwer zelven, als door den wel Edelen Here president en Rad bombaij, den Nabab verpligten zullen ons regt te doe omtrend alle zoodanige articulen als waar over wij onse Jongste missive van den 24. Februarij Jongst hebben gedoleerd, of aan Uwe Ed: opgehelderd en voor„ ene zederd die tijd voorgevallene Generaele Stren„ van onze Negotie en Lijwaat insaam te willen intelr en ons vreedig onsen Handel en wandel op eene repe„ wijze te willen Laten voortzetten, alsoo 'sComp:s v „gen zederd bij na 3. weeken met Lijwaten van bei„ ongelost gelegen hebben; En daar door de versen onser Retouren bij na onmogelijk gemaakt werd, welk wij dan gevolgelijk ook aen gene andere „saken als de voorwaards gemelde zullen kunnen „schrijven: zonder dat het uwelEd: behage Langer op productie onzer firmans te insesteeren, het welk als nog moeten declineeren gelijk bevoorens o„ redenen als in onse laatste missive vermeld, en de wij zulken stap niet vermogens zijn te doen buijten „ten onser hoge Gebiederen, die ons gedrag in dit ge noodwendig moeten bestieren. En dit een en ander is uw Ed: zoo dikwils voor oogen gehouden, dat wij versekerd zijn ingevalle uwel Ed: de vriendelijkheijd hadden Gelieven te hebben of om deze uijtvlugt in 't geheel niet uijt te vinden, dan wel dezelve, behoorlijk aen uwelEd: eijgene hoge superieuren voortedragen, nooijt zouden na onze gedagten uwelEd:s gelegentheijd gevonden hebben zig met deeze schijn te dekken. van onse voorregten spreekende Mijne Heeren. kunnen wij nogmaals gene Goede voornemens bespeuren in derselver opeijnchinge, nog kan onse regtmatige weijsgeringe en die in alle Goede staatkunde niet kan werden afgekeurd in het minste strekken om gelegt uwel Ed. gelieven te zeggen eene goede zaak een quade aanschouw te geeven, maar veel meer toond deze uwEd: vorderinge aan dat, uwel Ed: ene zaak die uwel Ed:s weeten voor ons onmogelijk te zijn blijven aandringen, en bij uwelEd: supperieuren als zeer noodzaakelijk voordragen om Expres daar door eenige schijn van reden te kunnen vinden van onze Handel te stremmen, gelijk nu gebeurd is en ons te dwengen tot de ruine van particulieren om onkillijke vorderinge te voldoen. Jn der daad Mijne Heeren! wij moeten UwEd: ene harte„ „lijke vrag doen; toe kan de Heer spencer en zijne opvol„ „geren, en daaren boven uwen Hogen Raad voor en na het innemen van het Casteel onse alle voorregten gu„ „aaranderen ingevalle zij die zelve voorregten hadden geignoreerd— noodwendig Verdert g d
English
Furthermore, in these present matters no firman is in the least necessary, for we have demanded no novelty. In the case of the parsi, which in itself may be considered on the part of the Government as a so-called querelle d'allemagne; the Director, by placing sepoys with goods that were awarded to the Company, has never shown any disrespect to the Nabab, as His Excellency has inferred from it, either of his own accord or at the instigation of others, for how could his authority be diminished because our Company guards its own property. And how can your Honors, Gentlemen, be said to infringe the Nabab's jurisdiction when your Honors, according to your duty, convince the Nabab of his wrong in so beneficial a case, and consequently oblige him to give us satisfaction; we have never had any thought, we dutifully declare, to offend the Nabab nor anyone of the Government here, nor to interfere in the least with any of their affairs, but on the other hand your Honors also easily realize that we cannot impassively pass over injustices and affronts, both with respect to our Company and its true subordinates. The request that we have made to your Honors, and which we urge once again most strongly, to the end that the Honorable Company's trade and operations may be relieved of all absolute impediment under which the same has now suffered for nearly three weeks, we address to your Honors as friends, allies, and co-religionists, as possessors of the Souratte Castle, who have dutifully bound yourselves to maintain our privileges inviolate, to which your Honors are moreover bound according to the intention of the Great Mogol, since the preservation of commerce is the reason adopted for your Honors' present influence in Souratte. We urge your Honors, moreover, Gentlemen, with sincere hearts to turn back from all prejudices and to be willing to cooperate with good intentions toward the redress of the injustices we have suffered, and to ensure that nothing of the like may happen again in the future. Complying with this, your Honors will give everyone proof of the purity of your sentiments, which we wish to be able to unite with our sincere inclinations. And it is in that pleasant hope that we have the honor to call ourselves with great esteem. Subscribed: To the Gentleman and Gentlemen. Lower: Your Honors' very humble servants. Signed: M: J. Bosman, J. van den Sleyden, N. Wolenberg, F: B. Zimmerman, C. van Cetters aarend zoon, A. C: de Vassy, W. L Contag, J. J. Bocquet, and E:s N:s Wiarde. In the margin: Souratte, the 7th of March A:o 1773. William Andrew Price Esqr Chief for the Affairs of the Honorable English East India Company and Governor of the Castle and of the Fleet of the Mogul. And his Council Surat Sir and Gentlemen. Having received yesterday the honor of yours of the 2nd of this month, we were very sensible to find therein two points that merit quite particular attention; the first is that you say that the last letter that we had the honor to send you, accompanied by the charters and proofs required therein, did not appear sufficient to you to change the sentiments contained in one of your previous ones of 29 December 1772, while you rely solely on a more ample clarification that must reach us upon the recovery of your Chief; and secondly, that you wish again to hold us as obliged to recognize you as mediators and protectors in the disputes that we have with the Governor, which we are obliged to declare plainly not to have No 7.
Dutch transcription
185 Verders is in deze tegenwoordige zeeken geen firman in 't minste nodig, want wij hebben geen nieuwigheijd g' Eijscht. Jn het geval van de percie dat in zig selfs van de zijde der Regeringe als een zoo Genaamde que „velle d'alle maque mag aangemerkt werden; heeft den „directeur door het plaatsen van sipaijs bij Goed dat de Comp: toegekend wierd, nimmers geen kleinagting aen de Nabab betoond, als die zijn, Excellentie of uijt zig zelfs of op aan„ „rading van anderen, daar uijt getrokken heeft, want hoe konde zijn autholiteijt beswalke worden, om dat onze Comp. haar eijgen goed bewaakt. En Hoe kunnen uwEd:s Mijne Heeren gesegd werden 's Nababs Jurisdictie te verkreuken, wanneer uwelEd:s volgens derselver gehoudenisse den Nabab van zijn ongelijk in zoo een nuttig geval overtuijgen, en hem dienvolgende noodzaken ons satisfactie te geven; wij hebben nimmer gedagten gehad, wij betuijgen het pligtig den Nabab nog niemand der Regeringe alhier te beleedigen nog ons met eenige van derselver zaken in 't minste te bemoeijen maar aan de anderen kant beseffen uwEd. ook ligt dat wij verongelijkingen en beschempingen zoo ten opzigte van onse Compagnie als waare onderhoorigen ongevoelig niet kunnen passeeren. Het versoek dat wij uwEd: gedaan hebben en het welk nogmaals op het kragtigste aanbinden, ten eijnde 'sEComp:s handel en omslag van alle volstrekte belemmeringe waaronder dezelve nu zedert bij na drie weeken gelaboreert heeft mag werden ontslagen, doen wij uwelEd: als vrienden Bond- en Geloofs-Genoten, als bezitters van het souratch Casteel, die zig pligtig hebben verbonden om onze voorregtens onschendbaar te handhaven, waar toe uwelEd: nog daaren boven volgens de Jntentie van den Groten Mogol gehouden zijn. alzoo de preservatie van den koophandel, de reeden is die men genomen heeft tot uwel Ed: tegenwoordige incluentie in Souratte, Wij in„ „steeken uwelEd. daar en boven mijne Heeren met opreegte haaten van alle vooringenomenheden te teug te keren en met Goede voornemens te willen mede werken, tot erstelling van de verongelijkingen die wij hebben geleden; en te zorgen dat in het toekomende niets diergelijks weder gebeuren moge. Hieraan voldoende zullen uwelEd: een iegelijk blijken geven van de suijverhuijd uwer gevoelens; die wij met onze opregte neijgingen wer„ „schen te kunnen verenigen. En het is in die aangenaeme hope dat wij de bere hebben ons met veel agting te noemen. /:onderstond:/ A:n Heer en Heeren. /lager:/ uwel Edeles zeer Ootmoedige Dienaaren /was getekend/ M: J. Bosman,. . . . . . . J. van den Sleijden, N. Wolenberg, F: B. Zimmerman „ C. van Cetters aarend zoon, A. C: de Vassij, W. L Contag, J. J. Bocquet, en E:s N:s Wiarde /:in margine/ Souratte Den 7. =de Maart A:o 1773:— gelaloreert 186 Monsieur Guillaume Andre Price Esqr Chef pour les Affaires de thonnable Compagnie Angloise des Jndes Orientates et Gouverneur du Chateau et de la flotte du Mogol. Et son Conseil Duratte Monsieur et Messieurs. Aijant recis hier Dhonneur de la votre du 2=me de ce mois nous avous etés fort sensible d'ij trouver deux points que meritent une attention touté particuliere le premier est que vous dites que la derniere lettere que nous avons eu thonneur de vous envoijer ac „compaqulé des chartres et preuves ij requiert ne vous ont pas parie suffisante pour Changer des sentiments Con„ „tenu dans une de vos presedentes de 29=en December 1772. landis que vous appuyez seulement sur un plus ample eclaircissement que doit nous parvenir au retablissement de votue Chef Et en second lieu que vous nous ij vouliz derechief comme obligiz de vous reconnoetre pour mediateurs et protecteurs, dans des differents que nous avous avec le Gouverneur les quels nous Sommes obligé de declarer nettement navoir No 7.
English
187 never have been able to take place if you had not been inclined to protect the Nabab in an inequitable manner, to employ more expressive terms against us in the most trivial matters, and to take private disputes as a pretext in order to oppress the General and Chartered Dutch East India Company and endeavor to strip it, as far as possible, of its liberties and immunities. Behold, the present case between you and us, gentlemen, is so clear that any individual having the slightest knowledge of the affairs of Souratte would find upon examination that in this matter we have not in the least deviated from the path of truth, and we are fully persuaded that among all unjust undertakings, however much they may be plotted with all the prudence and wit of which human fragility is capable, all the impartial world, or gentlemen, your own high superiors, will finally render us justice in case we are obliged to present our just grievances to them, and can never approve your conduct, which you endeavor to conceal under the veil of an assumed friendship, when the chain of events has been detailed to them. We also declare to you that all these unpleasantries penetrate to the very depths of our souls, and that we wish for nothing more ardently than to be able to end them in an honorable and consistent manner. But how will that be possible, gentlemen, if you have so exalted an opinion of yourselves, and if you strive to treat the Dutch Company, which we represent in these regions, as vanquished subjects, or at least as vassals who plead at the feet of their superiors for their good will and their clemency. Certainly, we have not yet entreated you in these affairs, nor in any other, in the capacity of mediators and protectors. We acknowledge that in the year 1762, Mr. Hodges, taking advantage of the age, etc., and the infirmity of one who, being overwhelmed by the weight of years, was constrained to accept his mediation; but its memory is still so deeply engraved and represented in such vivid colors in our hearts that we would all rather prefer to see the last drop of our blood shed than to give occasion by our own admission that such a service might ever be rendered to us. We beseech you, gentlemen, to be pleased to accept our sincerity. The offer of your mediation and protection requires no less candor in our duty as free Dutchmen, who, as well as every free-born Briton, possess a natural repugnance to everything that approaches violence and despotism. Consequently, gentlemen, we cannot, Gentlemen, at all 188 at all recognize you in the capacity of mediators, but we are obliged to demand of you, as possessors of the Castle, that according to the repeated promises you have made to us, and in consequence of the guarantee of our privileges made as well by yourselves as by the Honorable the President and the Council of Bombay, you will oblige the Nabab to render us justice on all the articles of which we have complained, or which we clarified to you in our last letter of February 24, and above all to cause to cease a general hindrance that has taken place since then in our trade and collection of piece-goods, and to allow us to pursue our trade and our occupations peaceably and honorably, since the Company's sloops have already been here for about three weeks, laden with piece-goods coming from outside, without having been able to be unloaded until now, and thereby the dispatch thereof is rendered almost impossible, which delay we cannot consequently attribute to any other than the reasons alleged above. We hope that you will not insist any further on the production of our firmans, since you must have seen by the reasons we gave you in our last letter, and which we confirm again in this one, that it is out of our power to take such a step, and we protest to you hereby that this is not at all possible for us without an express consent from our high superiors, who must necessarily govern our conduct in the present case. All this, gentlemen, has been represented to you so often that we are fully convinced that if you had not devised this subterfuge, or rather if you had without disguise exposed our reasons to your own high superiors, you would have no pretext now to oppose to us in order to justify your conduct toward us. Furthermore, gentlemen, the repeated demand you make to us for our privileges is by no means of good omen to us, and whatever you may say about it, we do not think that in good policy the refusal we make to produce them to you, and even as you wish to make us feel it, can in the least alter the goodness of our cause. But this pretension on your part proves rather that you persist in the demand you make to us for an article that is known to you to be impossible for us, and that you represent to your high superiors as very necessary, only in order to find thereby the means to place obstacles in affairs as the case now stands, and to reduce us at the same time to the sad necessity of being ourselves the agents of the ruin of several private persons among us, who would thereby become the victims of the most unjust and most frivolous pretensions.
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187 navoir Jamais pu avoir lieu si vous naviez pas etez parté a protiger le Nabab d'une manierie inequitable pour menager des termes plus expressif Contre nons dans des Choses les plus triviales et de prendre dles differents particuliers pour fondament afin d' opprimer la Compagnie Generaale et Octroije des Iudes Orientales hollandoise et tacher de la priver par la se etoct possible deses Libertes immunites voila le cas present entre vous et nous messieurs si clair que tout individee aijaent La moindre Connoissance des affaires de Pouratte trouveroit par Examen qu'en ceci nous ne nous sommes en la plus moirdre chose ecarté du Chemin de la verite et nous sommes pleinement persuadé quen etre toutes les entrepises injestes quoi quelles soijent tramnes avec toute la prudence et tout lesprit dans la fragilite humaire est suceptible /:et tout le monde imparial om messieurs vas pro „pres houts superieurs nons rendrons en fin Ius „tice au cas que nous soijons obligez de leurs produi „res nos Justes griets, et ne pouvant Jamais aprouver votue conducte /:la quelle vous tachez de convaier par la voile dune amitie suppose /lousquon leur aura detaille l'enchaement des Evenements nous vous declarons aussi que lous ces desagrements nous penitrent Jusqu' au fond de nos ames et cae nous ne Pouhaitons rien plus audement que de les pouvoir terminer d'une maniere hon „nette et Consiste, mais Comme cela sera til passible messieurs si vous avez une si auqulte openion de vous memes et que vous vous epforiez de tacher le Compagnie Hollandoise laquelle nous represen„ „ton: dans ces contrees Comme des sujets vaincus ou au moins Comme des vasseaux qui emplorent au pied de leurs Superieurs leurs bonne volonte it leur Clemence. — Certaiment, nous ne vous avons point en coure supplie dans ses affai „res ni dans aucune autre en qualité de me= „diateurs et protectiurs. Nous avonons qu en Lannee 1762. M:r Holtjes profitant de lage &a de l'informité dun qui etant accable par de poids des années fuit Contraint d'accepter sa mediction, mais si souvenir en est encore si profandement gravé et representée avec des Couleurs si vives dans nos Coeurs que nous pre„ „ferions tous de voir platet repondre la derniere goute de notre lang que de dlonner occasion par notre propres aveu quil pous fat rendre Jamais in parcel Service. Nous vous supplions Messieuns voorloir bien aghéer notae sincerite. –. Loffaes de votre mediation et protection neregige pas eene moindre Candeur de notre de voir en qualite d'Hollandois libres, qui aussi bien que tout libre possede Breton une repuqnance naturelle de tout Ce qui approche de la violence et du despotesme. Par Consequent messieuus nous ne poavons Messieurs point 188 point vous recouroitre en qualite de mediateurs mais vous sommes oblige de demander de vous Comme possesseures du Chatean que selonlles pro „messes réileres que vous nous avez faites et en Conséquence de la garantie de nos privileges aussi bien faites par vous mêmes que par Chonnerable monsieur le president et la Conseil de Bombaij vous obligerez le Nabab de nous aendre Iustice sier tous les articles dont nous nous sommes plaints ou que nous vous avons telairci dans notre der „niere lettere een 24. mne fevrier et seer tout de fairee Cesser eine empechement Generaal qui a eu lieu de puis dans notre Commerce et recolte de toiles, et de nous laisser paursiuvre paisiblement et honnorablement notre Commerce et nos occu„ „pations ipuis que les Chaloupes de la Compagnie ont déja été ici aux environs de trois semaines Chargé de toiles venant du dehous sans avoia puetre decharger Iusqua present et par la lon reend pres qu impossible lexpedition d'icelles le quel retardement nous ne pourront par Con „sequent altribuer qu'au raison alleque lidevant. Nous Esperons que vous neinsisterés pas d'avantage sur les productions de nos firmans puisque vous avez du voir par les raisons que nous vous avons donnés dans notie der nieua lettere et que nous Confirmans encotte dans felle en, quil est hous de notre pouvoir de faire une telle de marchee, Et nous vous protestons. par la presente que cela vie nous est point possible sans, een Consentement exprés de nos houts superieurs que doivent necessairement regler notre Conduite dans le cas present tout ceci, messieurs vous a dle represente si souvent que nous sommes plainement Convaincu que si vous na„ „vie z imagnies ce faux fuyant on plutol si vous enssie z sans dequisement exposé nos raisons a vos propres houts superieurs vous n'acriez aucune preteste maintement a nous opposer pour vous Justifier de votre Conduite vis à vis de nous. — Acs surplus messieurs la demande rcitiree que vous nous faites de nos privileges de nous est nulle „ment de bonne auqure et quoique vous en puissiez dire nous ne pensons pas quen bonne politicque le refus que nous vous faisons de vous les produire et quincore Comme vous voules nous le faire sentix il puisse atterer moinduement a la bonte de netre Cleuse mais cette pretention de votre port prouve platot que vous ne persistés dans la demande que vous nous faites dun article que vous est Connée nous etre impossible et que vous representes a vos hauts saperieuas Comme fort necessaire qu'afin de trouver parle moijen de mettere des empechements dans affaires Comme le Cas existe à present et nous reduike en même têms à la triste necissiste de tre nous mêmes les agents de la uiine de quelques par „ticuliers parmi nous qui deviendroient par la les victemes des pretentions les plus injustes et les plus frivoles. Notis une
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189 We truly have, gentlemen, a very simple question to put to you: How could Mr. Spencer and his successors, and moreover the gentlemen of your High Council, have undertaken to guarantee our privileges if they did not know them, and will you not agree that this guarantee, given by several chiefs and by an entire Council both before and after the capture of the Castle, demonstrates in the clearest and most evident manner the existence of these very privileges which you pretend today not to know? For the rest, the present cases do not in any way require firmans, for we are asking for nothing new. In the matter of the Parsee, which may be regarded on the part of the Government as a quarrel picked without any reasonable motive, the Director surely showed no contempt for the Nabob by placing Sepoys to guard the effects that were recognized as belonging to the Company. Thus, whether the Nabob was truly moved of his own accord or at the instigation of other persons to think that anyone wished on this occasion to tarnish his authority, it is easy, gentlemen, to remove this objection; and you yourselves will prove with the greatest ease that you have no intention of infringing upon his jurisdiction, if you will please point out to His Excellency that our Company has the right to guard its own effects, a right it has possessed at all times; and accordingly, gentlemen, we ask you to oblige him to give us suitable satisfaction. We solemnly declare that we have never had the slightest intention of showing contempt for the Nabob or for anyone belonging to the Government, nor of ever wishing to meddle in any way in their affairs; but on the other hand, you well understand, gentlemen, that we cannot pass over in silence nor behold without sensibility the affronts that have been offered both to the Company itself and to its dependents. We have already requested you above, gentlemen, to put an end to all the obstacles that for nearly 3 weeks have prevented the trade and affairs of the Company from taking their ordinary course; we again make the same request to you in this place with the greatest emphasis, as to our friends, allies, and persons professing the same religion, and also as possessors of the Castle of Surat, in which capacity you solemnly engaged to maintain our privileges inviolate. You know, as we do, that these are also the intentions of the Great Mogul, since the preservation of trade was taken as a reason for your present influence at Surat. We further pray you, gentlemen, with sincere hearts, to be disabused of all sorts of prejudices and to bring the best goodwill 190 so that we may receive reparation for all the outrages we have suffered, and to take particular care that in future nothing of such a nature happens to us. In doing this, you will prove to everyone the purity of your sentiments, which we ardently wish to see reconciled with our sincere inclinations. And it is in this agreeable hope that we have the honor to be, with all kinds of esteem, At the bottom: Sir and Gentlemen. Further down: Your most humble and most obedient servants. For the translation was signed: J. Goverts Junior. In the margin: Surat, the 7th of March 1773. To The Right Honorable and Highly Esteemed Gentleman Wilhem Hornbij, Esquire, President on behalf of the Honorable English Company and Commander of His Britannic Majesty's Castle there, Together with The Council. Right Honorable and Highly Esteemed Sir and Gentlemen. The gentlemen of the English factory here addressed themselves to us on the 17th of December 1771 regarding claims made upon some of our gentlemen by a merchant under the protection of the Honorable East India Company of England, named Deanaat Raamdat, which man, after the bankruptcy of one of our Banyan merchants with whom he was allegedly short of money, regarded it as a good means to satisfy himself by holding our Nation liable for the losses he supposedly suffered through his bankrupt debtor. We had the honor, in a letter of the 2nd of January, clearly to show this to your Honor's factory, who desired to be informed in this regard. Bombay No. 8. the
Dutch transcription
189 Nous avons enverité messieurs ane question bien semple a vous faire, Comment monsieur Spencer et ses successeurs et de plus messieurs de votre haut Conseil ont il jeu Pingager de garantia nos privileges sils ne les ont pas Connuetne Conviendrés vous pas que Cette garantee de la part de plusieurs Chefs et de tout uen Conseil avant et après la prise du Chaleau de la maniere la plus Claire et plus Evidente lexistence de cemines pai vileges que vous affectes de ne pas connoitre aijourdhuy. au reste les cas pre„ „sents n'exigent en aucune maniere des firmant car nous ne demandons rien de nouveau Dans l'affaire du persie que l'on pent regarder de la part de Gouvernement Comme une querelle faite sans aucun motif raisonnable le Directeur na surement point fait paroitre aucun mepris pour le nabab en placant des Cipays pour la garder des Effect que l'on a reconnu appartenir a la Compagnie ainsi soit que le Nabab ait ete Reillement porté de son propre monvement ou a l'instigation doutres personnes a penser que l'on a voula terniers en cette accasion son autorite el est aisi Messr: de levia cette objectioin, et vous prouverez vous memes avic la plus grande facilité que vous navez aucune en vie de penser attente à sa Jurisdiction, se vous voules faire observer a son Excellence que notre Compagnie a le droit de garder Les prapres Efficts, droit quille a en de tout lems, et d'aprés cela messieurs nous vous demandons de l'obliger a nous donner une Patisfaction Convenable. — Nus declarons Solemnellement n'avoir Jamais en le maindre intention de montrer da mepries pour le Nabab ni poar qui que ce soit de Gouvernemins Comme acessi de ne vouloir Jamais nous mellea en aucune maniere de leaas affaires, mais d'een autre Cote vous Comprenez bien messieurs que nons ne pouvans point passer sous selence ni voir sans Pensibilité les affronts que ont ete fait tant a la Compagnie elle même qua ses dependenes. Nous vous avons deja privé Cidessus messieurs de faire Cesser tous les obstacles que ont empeché„ de pais pres de 3. semaines le Commerce et les affaires de la Compagnie davoir leurs Cours ordinaire nous vous faisons encore en cet en„ „droit la meme paiexce avec la plas grande Em„ „phese Comme à nos amis Allies et professant la meme religion; Ed encore Comme etant pas „sesseurs du Chateaa de Limate dans la quelle qualite vous vous etes engagé solemnellement de maintenea inviolablement nos privileges vous Pavez Comme nous que ce sont la auss: les intentions de Grand Mogol puisque cest la preservation du Commerce, quon a pris pour une raison de votre in fluence presente a suratte nous vous prions encore au de La messicuers avec des ceurs Sinceres, de revenu de toutes joales de preventions et que vous apporteres la meilleure donner volonte 190 volonte afin que nous aijons Reparations de tous les outrages que nous avons soufferts et d'avoir een Soin particulier qu en futur rien de parcelle nature ne nous arrive Enfaisant cici vous procveres a un Chaquun la spurite de vot sentiments Lesquels nous souhaitons ordement de voir reconcilies a nos inclinations Sinceres. Et cest dans Cette agreable esperance que nous avons lhonneur d'etre avec toute foute d'estime /:an bas:/ Monsicur et Massieurs: /: plees bas:/ vos tres humbles ettres obeissants serviteurs. 1: pour la Translation fut signe /: J. Goverts J:r /:en marge:/ Curatte de 7:e Mart 1773:— Aan Den wel Edelen Groot Agtbaaren Heer Wilhem Hornbij schildknaep president van wegens de Honorable Engelsche Compagnie en Commandant van zijn Grootbittanische Majesteijts Casteel aldaar Benevens Den Raad. Wel Edele Groot Agtbaaren Heer 8n Heeren. De Weezen van de Engelsche factorij alhier, hebben zig op den 17. December 1771: aan ons g'addresseert, wegens pretentien die op eenige onser Heeren gemaakt wierd door een koopman onder de bescherming, der Edele Oostindische Compagnie van Engeland in name Deanaat Raamdat, welken man na de banqueroute van een onser benjaansche kooplieden bij wien hij geld te kort zoude komen als een goed middel heeft aangesien om zig te voldoen, dat hij onse Natie aanspraak over verliesen dewelke die hij bij sijn gevailleerde Debiteur zoude hebben geleden. Wij hebben d' Eer van uwel Edeles factorij dewelke begeerden hieromtrend onderregt te worden, bij ene missive van den 2. Januarij duijdelijk vertoond Bombaij N:o 8. de
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the groundlessness of this man's claims, as far as it concerned the Honorable Company's goods sold to him, and in respect of what he claimed from a private gentleman, having referred him to the Honorable Council of Justice of this factory, or indeed to that of Batavia, as being a matter of meum et tuum, which we had not the power to decide, with a further offer to provide him a competent person to look after his interests. Since up to this hour we have not had a single letter in answer to our letter, we thought nothing other than that these Gentlemen had been satisfied with it, but to our extreme surprise we have experienced that in some differences which we happen to have with this city's Government, the Nabab, among other frivolous pretexts and such as have nothing but private worthless causes for a foundation, has taken as a principal reason to bring about a general obstruction to all the Honorable Company's affairs in this city, the aforesaid groundless claims of the aforementioned merchant Deanaert, who is under English protection. Unable to comprehend the connection of this, we made further inquiries about it, and we were told that at the request of the English Gentlemen here, who were determined to support this Deanaet completely, your Honors had sent an order to have this matter settled by the Nabab. We rest assured, Right Honorable Sir and Gentlemen, that it may be possible that by a particular representation your Honors were not supplied with a correct understanding of this matter as well as many others; but we are at the same time too well convinced of your Honors' strict justice and magnanimity to doubt for a moment your Honors' good disposition not to order the Nabab immediately not to meddle with this, as in whatever manner the Surat gentlemen may represent this, this matter does not in any way belong to the department of the city's Governor. We request your Honors moreover to be pleased to take into favorable consideration how very hard it would be for Mr. Holmbercg, as a subject of Their High Mightinesses the Lords States General of the United Netherlands, to be deprived of his competent rights; while your Honors' gentlemen here have urged with all their might that a parallel case should be decided in English courts of law whenever the Noble Dutch East India Company has had a claim at the charge of a protected person and subsequently, in case of inheritance, upon a subject of His Majesty the King of Great Britain. Not to mention what reflection this must cause on the gentlemen of your factory in Surat, that they should attempt to hand over a case which they themselves cannot legally protect to the decision of an Asiatic ruler, whom your Honors yourselves know well what means he employs to terminate such disputes, since he is so much interested therein himself, as the Government here commonly enjoys a fourth of the capital in question. We therefore most politely request, Right Honorable Sir and Gentlemen, that your Honors be pleased to direct the Nabab for this reason by no means to meddle with this affair, nor to cause us any trouble on that account; and we assure the same on the other hand that upon the return of the banyan Sabidas, whom we expect back daily and without whose presence no investigation into this matter can be instituted, we shall take care that the purest justice to which he is entitled shall be done to the said banyan, as is proper for men of honor and occupying a public character. For the rest, regarding this matter we refer further to what will be represented on our behalf to your Honors by our Commissioner there, Mr. Pluijsken, and have the honor, wishing all desirable blessings upon your Honors' esteemed person and interests, to remain with the greatest respect. Right Honorable Sir and Gentlemen, Your Honors' most humble and obedient servants, Signed: J. M. Bosman, J. van der Cleijden, . Holmberg, F. B. Zimmerman, C. van Zetters Aarendszoon, R. C. de Vassij, W. L. Sontag, J. J. Bocquet, and E. N. Wiarde Surat, the 19th of March 1773. William Hornby Esq. President for Affairs of the Honourable English East India Company & Governor of His Great Britannic Majesty's Castle & his Council Bombay. The Honorable Honourable Sir & Sirs: The Gentlemen of the English Factory here having addressed themselves to us by a letter of 17th December 1772, respecting pretensions made upon some of our Gentlemen by a merchant under the protection of the Honourable East India Company of England named Deanat Ramdat, which person, after the bankruptcy of one of our Banyan merchants with whom he is said to have lost some money, thought it a good means to satisfy himself by forming pretensions upon our Nation on account of losses which he allegedly suffered by the aforementioned failed debtor. Translation No. 8: We have already clearly demonstrated
Dutch transcription
191 de ongegrondluijd van smans vorderinge zoo verre het aan hem verkogte 's E. Comp:s Goed aanging, en hem ten opzigte van het geen hij op een particulier. Heer paeten„ „deerende aan den Agtbaren Raad van Justitie deses Comptoirs, of wel die van Batavia overgewesen, als zijnde een affaire van het meum et tuum, het welk wij niet vermogens waren beslissen, met verdere aanbieding om hem een bequaam man toe te voegen tot het waarnemen zijne belangens. Nadien wij nu tot deezen ure op deze onse brief geen enkeld letter in antwoord hebben gehad, dagten wij ook niet anders of deze Heeren hadden daarmede genoegen genomen, maar tot onse uijtterste verwerdering hebben wij ondervonden, dat in eenige verschillen die wij gevallig met deze stads Regeringe hebben, de nabab onder meer andere frivole pretexten en die niets als particuliere niets waardige oorsaken voor een grond slag hebben tot een voornaeme reden genomen hadde om eene Generaele verhindering aan alle D E. Comp:s affaires in deze stad toetebrengen, voorsz: ongegronde vorderingen van de voornoemde onder Engelsche protextie staande koopman Deanaert, Dan hier van onmogelijk de samenhang kunnende begreijpen, hebben wij ons hier op nader Geinformeerd, en ons is gesegd dat op het versoek der Engelsche Heeren alhier dewelke willens waaren deze Deanaet absoluet voor te staan, hadden uwe Ed:s en ordre afgesonden om deze om deze zaak door de Nabab te laten afmaken. Wij houden ons versekerd wel Edele Groot Agtb: Heer en weeren, dat het mogelijk zijn kan, dat men door eene bijsondere voordragt uwel Ed: geen regt begrip van deze zaak zoo wel als veele anderen kan hebben gesuppediteert; maar wij zijn teffens te wel overtuijgd van uwel Ed:s strikte negtvaerdig- en Edelmoedigheijd, dan een ogenblik te twijffelen, aan uw Ed: goede genegendheijd om nu de Nabab niet onmiddelijk te ordonneeren van zig hiermeede niet te bemoeijen, als op welke wijse ook de souratse weeren zulx mogen voor„ „stellen deze zaak in geenen deele tot het departement van den stads Gouverneur is behoorende. Wij versoeken Uwel Edeles daaren boven in ene Gunstige aanmerking te willen neemen, toe hard zeer het voor den Heer Holmbercg wesen zoude als een onderdanen van Haar Hoog Mogende de Heeren staaten Generaal der vereenigde Nederlanden, om onttrokken te woorden van zijnen Competeraten, regten; Terwijl uwel Edeles Heeren alhier met alle magt hebben geurgeerd, dat een parallel geval in Engelsche geregtshoven zoude werden beslist, wanneer de Edele Nederlandsche oostjndische Compagnie een pretentie heeft gehad ten Laste van een geprotigeerde en nadien in Cas van Erffenisse op een onderdaan van zijn Majesteijd de Koning van Groot Brittannien. Ongerekend welken reflectie zulx op de weeren uwer factorije in souratte veroorsaken moet, datze een zaak die de zelven „kegt met kunnen protegeeren aan de beklissing van een adialisch zaak asiatisch Regent tragten overtegeven, dewelke UwelEd: zelve wel weeten wat middelen hij in werk steld om dier„ „gelijke questien te termineeren, daar hij zelfs zoo veel bij is geintasseerd, als genietende de Regering alhier gemeenelijk een quart van het Capitaal in questie. Wij versoeken overzulx op het aller beleefdste wel Edele Groot Agtbaare Heer en Heeren, dat UwelEd:s den Nabab gelieven te gelasten van zig om deeze reeden met deeze affaire geensints te bemoeijen, nog ons uijt dien hoofde eenige overlast aan te doen; en verzekeren dezelve daar en tegen dat wij bij te rug komst van den benjaan sabidas die wij dagelijx wederom verwagten en zonder wiers presentie nopens dez zaak geen onderzoek kan werden aangesteld wij zorgen zullen, dat aan gemelde ben „Jaen het allersuijverste regt dat hem toekomt werden gedaen, gelijk betamelijk aan mannen van her en bekleedende een publicque Cavacter. voor 't overige gedraegen wij ons nog nopens deze materie aen het geen Uwel Edele ontentwegen door onsen Commissiant a Costij de Heer Pluijsken verders zal werden voorgedraegen en hebben d' Eere met toewen„ „sching van alle desiderable zegeningen over uwel Edele g'agte persoon en belangens met het, meeste respect te zijn. /onderstond: Wel Edele Groot Agtbaaren Heer en Heeren:/lager:/ bij uwel Ed: uwelEdele Groot Agtb: zeer ootmoedige en Gehoorsaeme Dienaaren /was getekend:/ J. M. Bosman. . . . . , J. v„n d„r Cleijden, . Holmberg, F: B. Zimmerman, C: V:n Zetters aarend zoon, R. C. de Vassij, W. /:in margine:/ Souratta den 19: ' maart 1773: L: Sontag, J. J. Bocquet, en E:s N:s Wiarde 192 93 William Hornby Oss. President for Affairs of the Henourable English last Jndia Company N Gouvernour of His Great Britannik Majeste Castle Hs. Council Bombaij: The Hancurable Henourable fir & Cirs: The Gentlemen of the English Factory here having addresd them selves to us by a Letter of 17th Dber 1772: Respecting pretensions made upon Same of our Gentlemen, by a marchant under the Protection of the Honourable East Jndia Company of Engeland named Deanat Ramdat which person after the bankerupzy of one of our Benjan Marchant, with whom he is said to loose some money, though it a good mean, to satisfy himself, by forming pretentions upon our Nation, an account of loppes, which hy should have sufferd by fore mentio„ Aned failed Debtor Translation N: o 8: We have alrendy cearly de„ „monstrated
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demonstrated to your gentlemen, who desired an explanation hereabout, by a letter of 2 January last how ill-grounded the pretensions of this man were, as far as respected the goods sold to him by the Honorable Netherlands East India Company, and have referred him to the Right Worshipful Council of Justice either here or at Batavia, with his demands upon a private gentleman amongst us, as an affair regarding meum et tuum, which is not in our power to settle, with the further offer of a proper and capable person to manage his interest. As until this day we have not had a single line in answer to this our aforementioned letter, we could not imagine but that these gentlemen had been satisfied therewith. But to our utmost concern we have experienced that, in some differences we accidentally now have met with from the Governor of this town or the Nabob, amongst other frivolous pretexts he has taken as a principal reason for putting a general stop to the carrying on of any of the Honorable Company's business the before-mentioned ill-grounded demands of the aforesaid merchant Ramnal Ramdat, being under English protection. As we could not possibly comprehend the coherence of this, we have more particularly informed ourselves hereabout, and we have been apprised that, at the request of the English gentlemen here who are determined to support Dianat, you have been pleased to issue an order for having this affair settled by the Nabob. We hold ourselves persuaded that it is possible, by particular representations, you may not have a true idea of this dispute. But at the same time we are too much convinced of your strict principles of justice in general to doubt for a moment that you will now, from a kind disposition, be pleased to order the Nabob immediately not to interfere in these matters, since, however the Surat gentlemen may please to represent this affair, it is a business in no way belonging to the Nabob's province. We request moreover, Honorable Sir or Sirs, that you will be pleased to take into favorable consideration how extremely hard it would be upon Mr. Holmberg, as a subject of Their High Mightinesses the States General of the United Provinces, to be withheld from his competent judge, whereas your gentlemen here in a similar case before urged most strongly that it should be decided in English courts, when the Honorable Netherlands East India Company had a claim upon a protected person, and afterwards in a case of inheritance upon the subject of His Royal Majesty of Great Britain. Not to mention the reflection it will cast upon your gentlemen in Surat that they endeavor to get an affair which they themselves cannot support with any justice transferred to an Asiatic government, regarding which you know, Honorable Sir and Sirs, what measures will be taken for terminating questions of this nature in which self-interest is so much concerned, as the government here commonly receives a fourth of the principal sum in dispute. We therefore do request you, Honorable Sir and Sirs, in the most civil manner, that you will be pleased to order the Nabob not to meddle at all with this affair or to give us any trouble whatsoever hereabout, and we likewise do assure you that upon the return of the Banyan merchant Tabitas Nagerdas, whom we daily expect, and without whose presence no inquiry can be made into these affairs, we will cause the before-mentioned merchant to have the strictest justice due to him, as becomes men of honor and public character. We refer ourselves to what shall be further represented to you upon this subject by our commissary in Bombay, Mr. Sluysken; and wishing all desirable blessings to your esteemed persons and concerns, we have the honor to remain with respect, Honorable Sir and Sirs, Your most obedient and most humble servants. Surat, March the 19th, 1773. For the translation, signed by J. Goverts Junior.
Dutch transcription
194 „monstrated to your Gentlemen who desired aneclairsissement here about, by a Letter of 2th january last how ill grounded the pretentions of this man where, as faras respected the goods sold to him by the Noble Nether„ „land last Jndia Company and have referrd him to the Right Worshipful Council of Justice either here, or at Batavia, with his demands upon a private Gentleman amongst us„ as an affair regarding meum et tuum, which is not in our powers to terminate, with further offer of a proper and Capable person to manage his Interest: As till this day now we have had not a single line in answer to this our forementioned Letter, so we could not imagine but these Gentlemen had been sa„ tisfyd there with; But to our utmost Concern we have experiencen that in some differences wy acci¬ „dently now have met with from the Gouvernour of this Town or the Nabob amangst other frivolous pretext, he has taken for a prin¬ cipal reason of putting a general stop to the carrying on of any of any of the konsurable Companys Bupines before mentione ill groune ded Demands of the foresaid merchant Ramnal Ramdat being under the English protection: As we impossibly could com„ „prehend the Coherence of this, we have more particularly informed our selves here about, and we have been ap¬ prised that at the request of the sEnglish Gentlemen here which are Determind to support Dianat, You have been pleased to issue an ordre for having this affaire settled by the Nabob: We hold our selves persuaded that it can be possible by peculiar representations, you may not have a true idex of this dispute, But at the same time we are to much convin¬ „ced of Your striet principles of Justiae & generally then that we should doubh ffor a mament or now Yjou will from a kind disposition, be pleased to ordre immediatly the Nabob not to inter¬ fere in these matters, since how the surat Gentlemen may please to represent this affaires, it is a stop Bussinel 195. bupiness no way belonging to the Nabobs Province. We request more over Henou„ rable fir er sirs you will be pleased to take in a favourable consideration how extremily hard it would be upon Mr. Holmberg as a subject of their High mightness the states Gene„ ral of the Anited, Provinces to be witheld fram his Competent Judge, Where as ajour Genteemen here in a similar Case before urged most strangly that it should be decided in English Courts, when the Noble Netherland last Jndia Campany had a pretention upon a protected & afterwards in case of inheritance upon te subject of His Royal Smajesty of Great Brittain: Not to mention the reflection it will be repon Ijour Gentlemen in Curat that they endeavour to got ant affrer which they themselves can not support with any justice, to be transferd to an Asia„ Aid Government whe about Isouknow Hancurable sir & sirs which measures will be taken for terminating quistions of this Nature by which self interest is so much Concernd, as the Government here camonly receives a fourth of the We do refer ourselves to what shall be further represented to you upon this subject by our Commissary Sin Dembar M. r Cluysken, & wishing all desirable Blipings to Gour Estee„ „med Persons A Concerns, Wehavethe Hynour to remain with Respect /:underneath:/ Henourable Ssir&sirs Afour most Obidient and most Humble servants. /:in margine:/ Surat march the 19th 1773. for the Translation /:signs, by J. Goverts Junior principal fum in dispute. We therefore do request you Henourable fir & sirs in the most civil manner &sou will be pleased to grove the Nabob not to middle him self at all with this affairer to give us any trouble thatsower here about, and we likewise do assure you that upon the return of the Benjan marchant Tabitas Nagerdas, which we dayly do expect, & without whose presence no enquiry can be made in these Af„ faxs, We will cause af our before mentiond Merchant to have the most strictest Justice due to him as beeoming mens of Henour & a public Caractor principal 195. bupiness, no ways belonging to th Nabobs Province. We request more over Har„ „rable sir et sirs you will be pleas to take in a fatourable considera how extremily hard it would be se„ Mr. Holmberg as a subject of th High mightness the states Ge„ „ral of the Anited, Province be witheld fram his Competent Ju„ Where as hjour Genteemen he„ in a similar Case before urged m strangly that it should be dece„ in English Courts, when the Noble Netherland last Jndia Campann, had a pretention upon a Protect & Afterwards in case of inherite upon te subject of His Roya Smajesty of Great Brittain Not to mention the reflection it wre be zepon Jour Gentlemen in Curat t they endeavour to got ant affrer wh they themselves can not support any justice, to be transferd to an A„ Aid Government whe about Ioukno. Hanourable fir & firs which measur will betaken for terminating questia of this Nature by which self intere= is so much Concernd, as the Gornme here camonly receives a fourth of the e do refer ourselves to whaat shall be further represented to You upon this subject by our Commissary Sin Bombar M. r Sluysken, & wishing all desirable Blipings to Your Estee„ „med Persons A Concerns, Wehavethe Hynour to remain with Respect /:underneath:/ Hansurable Ssir &sirs afour most Obidient and most Humble servants. /:in margine:/ surat march the 19th 1773. for the Translation /:signs, Jb Goverts Junior by principal Sum in dispute. We therefore do request You Henourable fir & sirs in the most civil manner ysou will be pleased to orove the Nabob not to middle him self at all with this affairer to give us any trouble thatsower here about, and we likewise do assure you that upon the return of the Benjan marchant Tabitas Nagerdas, which we dayly do expect, & without whose presence no enquiry can be made in these Af„ fairs, We will cause af our before mentiond Merchant to have the most strictest Justice due to him as becoming mens of Henour & a public Caractor principal
English
196 No. 9. Surat. To The Right Honorable Worshipful William Andrew Price, Chief on behalf of the affairs of the Honorable English East India Company and Governor of the Mogul's Castle and Fleet, Together with The Council. Honorable Sir and Gentlemen, We have received Your Honor's letter of the 22nd instant. It grieves us, Gentlemen, that we are unable to satisfy Your Honor in any other manner regarding the demanded inspection of our firmans than the middle course that we shall propose to Your Honor herewith, and which we hope Your Honor will readily accept, since we have had the opportunity, since the receipt of Your Honor's letter of the 11th instant, to settle our dispute with the Nabob regarding the affair of the Parsi, to such an extent that His Excellency has already completely withdrawn his guard from the house of the aforementioned Parsi 11 days ago; and therefore the production of any firman is no longer necessary in this regard, while in any other case we truly cannot see for the present what purpose it would serve. We shall therefore, Gentlemen, upon the departure of 197 our ship, which is to take place within a few days, ask permission from our High Superiors to be allowed in future, upon the arising of any disputes with this Government in which we appeal to any particular privilege, to produce such a firman as continues the same privilege; with which we hope Your Honor will be satisfied for the present, and will not demand more of us, as we must follow the rules of our service just as Your Honor must observe those of your employers. And as we now flatter ourselves that Your Honor will consider this proposal equitable, we repeatedly request Your Honor immediately to compel the Nabob to withdraw the arrest he has placed upon our collection and sales for six weeks already, and whereby we are from now on no longer able properly to dispatch our return shipments, nor possibly to dispatch the ship with the required cash. Furthermore, we inform Your Honor that the Nabob granted us permission on the 16th current to unload our vessels with raw dhotis that were to be dyed blue, upon which the consent of the Nabob also followed on the 17th or the day thereafter; but on the 22nd following, His Honor forbade all our workmen from making any progress with the work of the collection, which until now had always remained unhindered; thus he allowed the vessels to be unloaded on the 16th only to vex us more faithlessly afterwards. Furthermore, we bring to Your Honor's notice that since the 2nd of this month we have already caused it to be proposed to the Nabob to have the matter of Botesa decided by four arbitrators to the satisfaction of the contesting parties and without interference from anyone else in a neutral place; to which the Nabob, after many and endless debates, finally consented; but that the outcome has also shown how little trust can be placed in promises in this matter. For when sending our arbitrators to the place of conference, there was, instead of 2 private arbitrators, an assembly of 12 merchants who, one by one, the day before, had been summoned by the Nabob's staff-bearer to appear there for and on behalf of Botesa, while these the Nabob's or Botesa's proxies were also supported by all the apparatus of a durbar as being present there, not only with the Nabob's petition master, but also 3 chobdars and 2 peons. Although we had remonstrances made about this and showed that this was contrary to the word and agreement, this was likewise unable to help, and thus this negotiation has also come to nothing. We likewise request Your Honors, Gentlemen, to be pleased to provide for this and compel the Nabob not to interfere any further with this, but having once left that matter to 4 arbitrators, also to allow them to proceed therewith unhindered 198 according to conscience and the findings of the matter. For the rest, it causes us great regret to have to observe that Your Honor's last letter is, as it were, filled with injurious insults, which we by no means think we have deserved after having been the suffering party for so long in addition; and this is all that we can say for the present. We would have complied with Your Honor's request for English translations with the greatest pleasure, had we not, already some time ago at his urgent request, discharged the only one who is currently retained and who has performed that work until now; and we can so much the less persuade him to do so now, since he has rightly pointed out to us that in the present critical disputes, although he can translate the English language into Dutch, yet not translate it back into English so perfectly, mistakes might sometimes be made in the translations that would be unpleasant both to Your Honor and to ourselves. We therefore very kindly request that Your Honor will by no means regard this as a lack of inclination to oblige Your Honor, but that for the aforesaid reason Your Honor will be pleased to be satisfied with the French translation that we enclose herewith; the more so as several gentlemen of Your Honor's factory understand that language so perfectly. We have the honor to be with due respect, /below was written/ Honorable Sir and Gentlemen, /lower/ Your Honor's very humble and obedient servants /was signed/ J. M. Bosman, J. van der Sleijden, N. Holmberg, F. B. Zimmermann, C. van Cetters Aarendzoon, R. C. de Vassij, W. L. Sontag, J. J. Bocqaal, and E. N. Waarde. /in the margin/ Surat, the 29th of March 173[illegible].
Dutch transcription
196 No. 9. Souratta. Aan Den Wel Edele Agtb: Heer William Andries Phice schildnoep opperhoofd wegens de zaeken der Edele Engelsche Oostindische Compagine en Gouverneur van Smogols Casteel en Vloot. Ar Heer en Heeren Wij hebben ontfangen uw Ed: missive van den 22. dezer. Het smert ons mijne Heeren dat wij niet vermogens zijn uelEd:s op eenige andere wijse te voldoen, ten opsigte der geEischt visie van onse biamans, dan de middelweg die wij uw Ed:s bij dezen voorstellen zullen, en dewelke wij hoopen dat uw Ed:s geredelijk zullen kunnen aanneemen, vermits wij zederd den ontfangst van uw Ed: missive van den 11: Hujes geleegentheijd hebben gehad, ons verschil met den Nabab nopens de affaire van de peasie aftemaken, in zoo verre dat zijn Excellentie reeds voor 11: dagen zijn wagt van het huijs van meermelde persie in 't geheel heeft te rug getrokken; en dus dezen aangaande geen productie eniger firman meer noodzaekelijk wezen keer; Terwijl wij in enig ander geval voor het tegenswoordige waerlijk niet zien kunnen waartoe ze benodigd zoude zijn. — Wij zullen dan Mijne Heeren bij het vertrek van Benevens Den Raad. 197 ons schip dat binnen weinig daegen staat te Geschieden, onse Hooge superieuren verlof vragen om in het toe „komende bij het ontstaen van eenige Differenten met deze Regeringe waar bij wij ons op eenig bijzonder voorregt beroepen, als dan zodanige firman te mogen overleggen, die het zelve voorregt Continueerd, waarmede wij verhopen dat uwEd: voor het tegenwoordige zullen wesen voldaen, en ons niet meer vergen, als de regulen van onse dienst moetende opvolgen zoo wel als uwelEd:s die van Haere betaels heren in agt moeten neemen. En dewijl wij ons nu vleijen, dat uw Ed: dit voorstel als billijk zullen beschouwen, zoo versoeken wij uw Ed:s bij herhalinge den Nabab onmiddelijk te noodzaken destateeringe intetrekken die hij onse insaam en verkoop heeft toegebragt al zederd ses weeken, en waar door wij van nu afaian al niet meer in staat zijn onse retouren behoorlijk te versenden nog mogelijx ook niet met het schip met de benodigde Contanten depecheeren. verders maken wij uwEd: bekend dat de Nabab ons op den 16. Courant permissie Gegeven heeft om onse vaartuijgen met ruwe dotijs dewelke blauw gereafd moesten worden, te Lossen, waar op den 17. e ofs daags daaraen ook het Consent van de Nabab is gevolgd, maar den 22. daaran volgende heeft zijn Edele bij alle onse werklieden laten verlieden om eenige voortgang met het „werk van den insaam te maken, het welk tot nog toe altoos onbelemmnerd is gebleeven: dus hij de vaartuijgen op den 16. heeft laten Lossen, om ons naderhand nog maar trouwlosen te vexeren, Terwijl wij alverders tot uwer ken„ „nisse brengen, dat wij zederd den 2. dezer maand de Nabab al hebben laten voorstellen om de zaak van Botesa door vier goede mannen ten genoegen van de Contesteerende partijen en zonder bemoijenisse van iemand anders te laten beslissen op een op ene neutrale plaats; waarin de Nabab na veele en oneijndige debattes eindelijk bewilligd heeft; dog dat de uijtkomst mede heeft doen zien hoe weinig in dezen op beloften staat te maken is. dewijl onse goede mannen op de Conferentie plaats sturende van den dezelve in stede van 2. particuliere goede mannen een versameling van voorn 12. kooplieden die een voor een daags bevorens. door 'snababs stokkedrager aangezegd wat aldaar te verschijnen voor en van wegens Botisa, terwijl deze sababs of Botesiase volmagten mede ondersteund wierden van al de toestel van een derbaar als zijnde daar bij present, met allenig snababs Request, mester„ maar ook 3. tjobdaars en 2. lijt dienaars. Of wij nu al remonstranten hier over hebben laten doen en daar bij vertoond dat dit tegenswoord en afspraak aan was zulx heeft almede niet kunnen helpen, en dus is deze onderhandeling almede te niet gelopen. wij versoeken uwelEdelens insgelijx mijne Heden hierin te willen voorsien en de Nabab de verpligten zig niet verder hiermede te bemoeijen, maar die zaak eens overgelaten hebbende aan 4. goede mannen, dezelve daaer ook onverhinderd daarmede altoos 198 daarmede na Consientie en bevinding van zaken te laten voortgaen. Voor het overige doed het ons zeer leed te moeten aanmerken dat uw Ed: laatste missive als door geseijd is met schendige beleedingingen, die wij geensints denken te hebben verdiend na zo lange nog daaren boven de lijdende partij te hebben geweest; En ditij alles wat wij voor het tegenswoordige e d dee zeggen kunnen. Wij zouden uwelEd:s versoek om Engelsche Translaten, met het meeste genoegen hebben voldaan, hebben wij de eenigste die thans aanhouden is, en dat werk tot nog toe verrigt heeft niet al zederd eenigen tijd geleden op zijn instantig versoek daarvan ontslagen; en wij kunnen hem zoo veel te minder daartoe thans persua„ „deren, vermits hij ons met reden heeft doen opmerken dat in de tegenswoordige Cretique verschillen hij als de Engelsche tale wel in het Hollands kunnende overbren„ „gen, dog niet zoo volmaaktelijk weder in 't Engelsche overzetten, somwijlen misslagen in de vertalingen zoude „naeme wezen zoude. Wij versoeken dierhalven zeer vriendelijk dat uwEd: dit geensints willen aanmerken, als een gebrek aan genegendheijd om uw Ed: te verpligten, maar dat uwE: om voorig reeden met het fransche Translaat dat wij hier nevens voegen gelieven genoegen te neemen: Te meer daar zoo verscheijde Heeren uweld: factorije die taal zoo volmaaktelijk kunden zijn Wij hebben d' bene met betamelijke agting te zijn /:onderstond:/ kunnen begalen, die zoo wel uw E: als ons zelve onaange A„r Heer en Heeren, /lager/ uwelEd:s zeer ootmoedige en gehoorsame Dienaaren /:was getekend:/ I: M. Bosman, . . . . . . J. v=n d:r sleijden, N. Holmberg, F. B. Zimmermais, C: v„n Cetters aarend zoon, R. C: de vassij, W. L. sontag, J. J. Bocqaal, en E:' N: Waarde /:in maagene:/ Courae den 29 Maart 173. A:o
English
therewith to leave it to conscience and the findings of the matter. For the rest, it causes us great regret to have to notice that your Honor's last missive is as if loaded with insults, which we by no means think we have deserved, after having moreover been the suffering party for so long; and this is all that we can say for the present. We would have complied with your Honor's request for an English translation with the greatest pleasure, had not the only person who is currently engaged and who has performed that work hitherto already been discharged therefrom some time ago at his urgent request; and we can so much the less persuade him thereto at present, since he has with reason pointed out to us that in the present critical disputes, although he can translate the English language well into Dutch, yet he cannot translate it back so perfectly into English, and mistakes in the translations might sometimes occur. We therefore very kindly request that you will by no means consider this as a lack of inclination to oblige your Honor, but that your Honor, for the aforementioned reason, will be pleased to be satisfied with the French translation that we enclose herewith: the more so since several in your Honor's factory know that language so perfectly. We have the honor to be with due respect. /:below:/ can desire, who as well your Honor as our selves to Honorable Sir and Sirs, /lower/ your Honor's very humble and obedient servants /:was signed:/ I: M. Bosman, J. van der Sleijden, N. Holmberg, F. B. Zimmerman, C: van Cetters Aarends zoon, R C: de Vassij, W. L. Sontag, J. J. Bocqaet, and E:' N: Waarde / in margin :/ Courate the 29 March 173. Particular Mr. Guillaume Andre Drice Chief for the affairs of the Honorable English East India Company and Governor of the Castle and of the Mughal fleet. And his Council Suratte Sir and Sirs. We have received your letter of the 22nd of the current month. We are very sorry, gentlemen, that it is out of our power to satisfy you in any other manner regarding the inspection of our firmans that you request from us, except by an expedient which we are now going to propose to you; and to which we hope that you will be pleased to acquiesce, since after having received the honor of yours of the 11th of this month we had the opportunity to end our dispute with the Nawab regarding the affair of the Parsi, so that His Excellency has already entirely withdrawn his chokkie from the house of the above-mentioned Parsi 11 days ago, and thus the production of any firman can no longer be regarded as necessary in this respect; while in none of the other affairs No. 9. we really cannot see to what they could be of any utility. That is why, gentlemen, upon the departure of our vessel, which we expect can take place in a few days, we shall ask permission from the High Government of Batavia, our superiors, so as to be able in the future to produce to you such firman as we allege in case of a dispute with this Government, and where we claim some particular privilege, to be able thereby to show the validity of the privilege that it is to contain. We flatter ourselves that by this expedient you will be satisfied for the present, and that you will demand nothing more from us, as we must conform to the rules of our service; just as you are bound to observe those of your high superiors. And as we hope that you will also regard this proposal as equitable, so we reiterate our instances in order to oblige the Nawab to withdraw immediately the hindrances that he has caused for six weeks to the collecting of our piece-goods, and to the delivery of our merchandise, and whereby it has happened that from this very moment it is out of our power to dispatch properly with this vessel our piece-goods, nor in all probability can we be sent the necessary specie. Furthermore, we have the honor to communicate to you that the Nawab gave us permission on the 16th of this month to unload from our sloops the white Doutys that were to be dyed blue, which was done the next day, the 17th, with the consent of the Naib; but on the 22nd Furthermore, we inform you, gentlemen, that since the 2nd of this month we have already caused to be proposed to the Nawab to settle the affair of Boutisa amicably by four arbitrators in a neutral place, to the satisfaction of the contesting parties and without anyone else interfering therein, to which the Nawab finally consented after infinite debates; but the outcome has also shown in this how little one can rely on promises, since upon sending our arbitrators to the place of the conference, instead of two private arbitrators, they found there an assembly of a dozen of the principal merchants who had been summoned separately the evening before by a chobdar of the Nawab to appear there on behalf of Boutisa: while these agents of the Nawab or of Boutisa were supported by all the apparatus of a Durbar, as having attended there the Master of Requests of the Nawab, two of his khidmatgars, and 3 chobdars. Although we caused remonstrances to be made thereupon, and asked how contrary such a proceeding was to the word and convention made, never has it produced the least effect, so that this following, he caused our weavers and other workmen to be forbidden to pursue in any way the work of our piece-goods, which until now had had no disturbance; so that he permitted us to unload our sloops on the 16th of this month only to act towards us afterwards with greater bad faith. following negotiation
Dutch transcription
198 daarmede na Consientie en bevinding van zaken te laten Voor het overige doed het ons zeer leed te moeten aan„ dat uw Ed: laatste missive als door gelaijd is met sche beleedingengen, die wij geensints denken te hebben ve„ na zo lange nog daaren boven de lijdende parlij te he geweest; En ditij alles wat wij voor het tegenswoord e ade zegger kunnen. Wij zouden uwel Ed: versoek om Engelsche Transle met het meeste genoegen hebben voldaan, hebben, re„ eenigste die thans aanhouden is, en dat werk tot toe verrigt heeft niet al zederd eenigen tijd gele„ op zijn instantig versoek daarvan ontslagen;e kunnen hem zoo veel te minder daartoe thans pe„ „deren, vermits hij ons met reden heeft doen op i„ dat in de tegenswoordige Cretique verschillen hij als Engelsche tale wel in het Hollands kunnende ov= „gen, dog niet zoo volmaaktelijk weder in 't Engelse„ overzetten, somwijlen misslagen in de vertalingen zo „naeme wezen zoude. Wij versoeken dierhalven zeer vriendelijk dat„ dit geensints willen aanmerken, als een gebrek a genegendheijd om uw Ed: te verpligten, maar dat uw E: om v: reeden met het fransche Translaat dat wij hier neven gelieven genoegen te neemen: Te meer daar zoo verscheijd uwelEd: factoreije die taal zoo volmaaktelijk kunden Wij hebben d' Eene met betaelijke agtingte zijn. /: onde kunnen begaren, die zoo wel uw Ed: als ons zelve na A„r Heer en Heeren, /lager/ uwelEd: zeer ootmoedige en gehoorsame Dienaaren /:was getekend:/ I: M. Bosman, . . . . . . J. v=n d:r sleijden, N. Holmberg, F. B. Zimmermais, C: v„n Cetters aarend zoon, R C: de Vassij, W. L. sontag, J. J. Bocqaet, en E:' N: Waarde / in margine :/ Courate den 29 Maart 173. Puartictien Monsieur Guillaume Andre Drice Chef pour les affaires de Chonnoble Compagnie Angloise des Judes Orientales et Gouverneur du Chatiau et de la flotte du mogol. Et son Conseil Suratte Monsieur en Messieurs. Nous avons recu volue lettre de 22. mne. Courant. Nous sommes bien tristes messieurs quil est hons de notre pouvoir de vous satisfaire en qualque aulre maniere au seijet de la vire de nos phirmans que vous nous demandez si ce west par un millieu, que nous allons vous proposer actuellement; Et auquel nous esper„ „ons que vous voudrez bien aequisser, puique aprés avoir recu lhonneur de la votre du 11me de ce mois nous avons en occasien de terminer notre dispute avec le CVabeil touchant l'affaire du persie de maniere que son Excellence a deja entierement retire il ij à 11 Jouas. son chokkie de la maison du sur men„ „tionne persie Et quainse la prodution daacun firman ne peul plus elre regardé comme necessaire à cet egard; Tandis que dans aucunre des autres affaires No. 9. nous 200 nous ne pouvons rcellement pas voir a quoi ils pour„ „roient elre d'aunene utilile. Cest pourquoi messieurs au de part de notre Vaiscaco„ que Complois se pouvoir faire en pen de Jours, noris de manderons la permission a la haute Regerce de Batavia nos supperieurs, afin de pouvoir a lavenia vous produire tel firman que nous allegnons en cas de dispute avec ce Gouvernement Et ou nous re„ „clamons gullque privilege particulier pour pouvoir spar lala valitite du privilegie ques doit Contenir. Nous nous flattons que por ce millieu vous serez satisfact pour le present Et que vous nerigerez plees rieu de nous Comme nous devant Conformer aux regles de notre service; ausse bien que vous eles tenu d'observer ceux de vos houtres Superieurss. Ed comme nois esperons que vous neganderes aussi cette proposition Comme equitatte, aisli nous neilerons nos instances afin d' obliger de nabab, de retirer. immediatement les empechements quel à cause deporis six semaines, à la recolte de nos toileries, et à La de livraison de nos marchandises, Et par ou est arrivée que depires Ce moment même el est hons de notre pouvoir d'expedicr Convenablement avec ce vaissean nos toileries vij en toute probabilité ij poura„ „rons nous envoyen les especes nécessairees. En outke nous avons lhontieur de vous Com „muniquer que le Nabab nous a donné permission le 16. me de ce mois, de decharger de nos. Chaloupes les Doutys blancs que devoient être teints en blee, ce qui a cé serivi le lendemain au 17=me die Consentement du Naib, mais aio 22. me De plus nous vous faisons part messieurs que de puis le 2. me de Ce mois, nous avons deja fait proposer au Nabab de faire artianger laffaire de Boutisa a l'amiable par quatres arbitres dans un endroit neutre a la satisfaction des parties Contestants et sans que personne outre sij ingera a quoi le Nabab a Enfin Consenti apres des debats infinis; mais L'esuce a aussi fait voir en ceci, Combieu peu en pent se sonder sua des promesses puisque en envoijant nos arbitres a lendroit de la Conference els ij trouve„ „rent de dien de deur Aubitres particuleers une congregation d'une dousaine des principaux mar„ „hands qui avoient êlez sommés separement la veille par un sjobdahr du Nabab a'ij Comparoitre de la part de Boutisa: Tandis, que Ces agents du Nabab ou de Boutisa eloient soutenu par tout l'apparcil dun Derbaha Comme ij ayant assiste le maitre des Requete de Nabab, deuse de ses Rismedhar, et 3. Sjobdhars. - Quoique nons aijons fait faire la dessus des Remontrances, et demondé Combien pareille procedure etoit con traire a la parole et Convention faite, Jamais a la u produit le moindre esfet de soute que cette suivant, Il a fait interdikre a nos Tisserans et autres ouvriers, de poursuivie en aucane facon les ouvrages de nos toileries, ce que Jusqua present navoit poins de trouble De maniere quil ne nous a permis de decharger nos Chaloupes au 16=me de ce mois que pour nous verir apres avec plus de maio= „vaise foi„ suivant negotiation
English
negotiation was also broken off. We likewise pray you, Gentlemen, to be pleased to provide for this matter, and to oblige the Nabab to interfere no further, but, having left this affair to four Arbitrators, to allow them to pursue their discussions without the least hindrance, in order to settle the matter as in conscience they shall judge to be equitable, and as the case requires. For the rest, we are extremely sensitive at being obliged to observe that your last letter is as it were interspersed with atrocious insults, which we do not believe we ever could have deserved, especially after having been for so long the aggrieved party; and that is all that we shall say on the matter for now. We would have complied with the greatest eagerness with your wish to have English translations, had we not already some time ago, upon his repeated request, excused the gentleman among us who had been charged with this work until now, and who was the only one who had some knowledge of it. We can all the less persuade him to it at present, as he pointed out to us with much reason that, in the critical disputes of today, he might sometimes commit some errors that would be no less disagreeable to you than to us; since he is well able to render English into Dutch, but it lacks much that he has the same facility to translate Dutch into English. Consequently, we pray you very amicably, Gentlemen, not to consider this as a lack of goodwill to satisfy you, but that on account of the reasons alleged above you will be pleased to content yourselves with the French translation which we have the honor to present to you enclosed herewith, all the more so as there are several of your gentlemen who understand this language perfectly well. We have the honor to be with due esteem, at the bottom: Sir and Gentlemen, lower down: your very humble and very obedient servants For the translation was signed: I: Goverts Junior in the margin: Surat, this 29th of March 1778. negotiation was also broken off. We likewise pray you, Gentlemen, to be pleased to provide for this matter, and to oblige the Nabab to interfere no further, but, having left this affair to four Arbitrators, to allow them to pursue their discussions without the least hindrance, in order to settle the matter as in conscience they shall judge to be equitable, and as the case requires. For the rest, we are extremely sensitive at being obliged to observe that your last letter is as it were interspersed with atrocious insults, which we do not believe we ever could have deserved, especially after having been for so long the aggrieved party; and that is all that we shall say on the matter for now. We would have complied with the greatest eagerness with your wish to have English translations, had we not already some time ago, upon his repeated request, excused the gentleman among us who had been charged with this work until now, and who was the only one who had some knowledge of it. We can all the less persuade him to it at present, as he pointed out to us with much reason that, in the critical disputes of today, he might sometimes commit some errors that would be no less disagreeable to you than to us; since he is well able to render English into Dutch, but it lacks much that he has the same facility to translate Dutch into English. Consequently, we pray you very amicably, Gentlemen, not to consider this as a lack of goodwill to satisfy you, but that on account of the reasons alleged above you will be pleased to content yourselves with the French translation which we have the honor to present to you enclosed herewith, all the more so as there are several of your gentlemen who understand this language perfectly well. We have the honor to be with due esteem, at the bottom: Sir and Gentlemen, lower down: your very humble and very obedient servants For the translation was signed: I: Goverts Junior in the margin: Surat, this 29th of March 1778. No. 10: William Andrew Price, Esquire, Chief on behalf of the affairs of the Honorable English East India Company and Governor of the Mogul Castle and Fleet, To the Right Honorable [illegible] together with the Council. Honorable Sir and Gentlemen, On the 16th of this month, we had the honor to receive your Honors' letter of the day before. However much we had hoped that the Banyan merchant Deanaet with his disputes would have been referred to our court of justice, for reasons circumstantially stated in our letter of the 2nd of January, it has nevertheless appeared to us from that same letter of your Honors that the Lord President and Council at Bombay have thought fit to attach your intercession with the Nabab, to the end of removing all hindrances that have for a considerable time been caused to the trade of the Honorable Dutch Company, to the condition that the disputes with the said Dernaet be subjected to the most impartial arbitration; whatever reasons, Gentlemen, we might also have to insist that this Dernaet be referred to our Court of Justice, under which he has expressly bound himself, Surat.
Dutch transcription
201 negoliation aussi a ete rompue. Nous vous prions pareillement: messieurs de vou „loir bien pourvoir a ce cij, et obliger le Nabab de ne s'en plus méler mais aijant abandonné cette affaire à quatres Arbitres, de leur faire pour saivre leurs discussions sans le moindre empeche„ „ment, afin d'arranger l'affaire Comme en conscence ils Jugeront elre equitable, et que le cas le requiert Au reste nous Sommes esctremement sen„ „sible detre obligé a remarquer, que votre derniere lettre est Comme parseméé avec des injures at„ „roces, liquels, nous ne croijons Jamais avoir pu meriter, surtout apres avoir eté si longtems la partie lezeé; Et voila tout ce que nous en dirons asteur. Nous aurions satisfactavec le plus quand empressement a votre souhait pour avoir des Traduction Angloises, si nous navions pas deja de puis puelque têms. dispensé a sa requete rêi „teree, celui de nos messieurs que sest charge de cet ouvrage Jusqua present, et que etoit le seul que en avoit quelque Connoissance. - Nous pouvons d'autant moins le persuader pre„ „sentement a cela, Comme il nous a fait observer avec beancoup de raison, que dans les disse„ „rend. Cretiques d' anjourdhei il pourroit quel„ „que fois commettre quelques Erreurs que ne vous seroient pas moins desaqueables qua nous; puisque Jl se trouve bien en etal de rendre letug„ „lois en Hollandois, mais quel sen faut beaucoup quil dit la mirne facilit, pour tractuire le Hollandois en Anglois. – En Consequence nous vous prions tres amicablement mess=rs de ne vouloir point Considerer le eij Comme in manque„ „ment de bonne volonté a vous satisfaire, mais qua couse des raisons eij dessus alleques vous vondres bien veres Contenter de la traduction francoise que nous avons thonneur de vous pre „senter Eij Joint: Dautant celles Comme is se trouve plusieurs de vos messieurs qui enten„ „dent parfaitement bien cette Langue. Nous avons lhonneur détre avec due Estime /:aubas. / Monsieur et messieurs /:plas bas:/ vos tres humbles et tres obeissants serviteurs /. pour la Translation fut signe:/ I: Goverts Junior /. en marge:/ Suratte ce 29. de mars quel 1778: 201 negoliation aussi a ete rompue. Nous vous prions pareillement messieurs de „loir bien pourvoir a ce cij, et obliger le Nabab ne s'en plus wieler mais aijant abandonné affaire à quatres Arbitres, de leur fairee saivae leurs discussions sans le moindre e „mont, afin d' arranger l'affaire Comme conscence ils Jugeront elre equitable, et qui cas le requiert. Au reste nous Sommes extremement „sible detre obligé a remarquer, que votre lettre est Comme parseméé avec des injur „roces, liquels nous ne croijons Jamais a pu meriter, surtont apres avoir eté si lon„ la partie lezeé; Et voila tout Ce que na en dirons asteua. Nous aurions satisfactavec le plus qu empressement a votre souhait pour avoir suaduction Angloises, si nous navions pas de puis puelque têms dispensé a la requete „teree, celui de nos messieurs que sest char„ de cet ouvrage Jusqua present, et que etc seul que en avoit quelque Connoissance. - ppouvons d'autant moins le persiader „sentement a cela, Comme il nous a fait ob avec beaucoup de raison, que dans les e „rend. Cretcques d' aujourdhei il pourroi „que fois commettre quelques Erreurs que vous seroient pas moins desaqueables qua puisque Jl se trouve bien en etal de renda „lois en Hollandois; mais quel sen faut bean quil ait la mirne facilite pour traquire le Hollandois en Anglois. – En Consequence nous vous prions tres amicablement mess=rs de ne vouloir point Considerer le eij Comme in manque„ „ment de bonne volonté a vous satisfaire, mais qua Couse des raisons eij dessus alleques vous vendres bien vous Contenter de la traduction francoise que nous avons thonneur de vous pre „senter cij Joint: D'autant celles Comme is se trouve plusieurs de vos messieurs qui enten„ „dent parfastement bien cette Lanque. Nous avons lhonneur détre avec due Estime /:aubas. / Monsieur et messieurs /: plus bas:/ vos tres humbles Et tres obeissants serviteurs /: pour la Translation fut signe:/ I: Goverts Junior /. en marge:/ Suratte ce 29. de mars 1778: quel 202 No. 10: Willem Andries Price schildknaep opperhoofd van wegens de saeken der Edele Engelsche oostjndische Compaepie en Gouverneur van Smnogols Casteel en vloot Aan Den Wel Edele Agtbaaren Hleca Benevens Den Raad. Agtbaare Heer en Weeken. Op den 16. dezes maands, hebben wij d' Eer gehad te ontfangen uw Edele G'agte van Jaegs bevoorens. hoe zeer wij ook hadden gehoopt dat den benjaans koop„ „mats Deanaet met zijne verschillen aan onse regtsbank zoude zijn gerenvoijeert geworden, om redenen bij onsen brief van den 2 Januarij omstandig vermeld, zoo is ons egter uijt die zelfde uw Ed: brief gebleeken, dat den Heere president en Raad te Bombaij hebben goedgevonden om uwd: in „tercessie bij den Nabab ten eijnde alle verhinderingen weg te neemen, die aen den Handel van de Edele hollandse Compagnie sederd een geruijme tijd toegebragt sijn, daaraen te verbinden dat de verschillen met den gemelden Dernaet wierden onderworpen aan eene aller onpantijdigste arbitragie, welke redenen Mijne Heeren wij ook soude mogen hebben om te rnsteeren, dat deze Dernaet aen ons geregts Hoff waar onder hij zig Expresselik verbonden heeft, werde Souratte. overgeweesen ƒ
English
referred, necessity, as well as the desire for good harmony and to finally put an end to all disputes, compels us to agree to this demand of Your Honors, as we do hereby, under this express clause: that this concession of ours shall never serve to diminish any of the Company's privileges in similar cases, nor shall it ever be taken as any precedent for the future. And as we hereby declare to Your Honor that we are thus ready to settle these disputes along the proposed path, we think that Your Honor can have no objection to the arbitrators being Europeans chosen to mutual satisfaction, upon which we find ourselves compelled to insist. We further request Your Honor, in order that this matter and the other differences between the Nabob and us may indeed be equitably removed, to persuade the said City Governor likewise to allow a free course to the trade of our Noble Company, which has already for a period of more than two months had the markets closed to its great damage, so that not the least could be sold, and which is also urgently necessary in order to dispatch our ship properly. In accordance with that which Mr. Sluijsken bound himself to the gentlemen of the Committee at Bombay upon the settlement of the Broach disputes, we are prepared to present to a commission from Your Honor's assembly, or else to the Chief, the original firmans of which the translations were delivered by the said Mr. Sluijsken to the same Committee to establish our indisputable right, in order to be able, if desired, to confront those originals, so far as Broach is concerned, against the submitted translations. We are, with all respect, stood below, Honorable Master and Gentlemen, lower, Your Right Honorable's very humble and obedient servants, was signed, J. M. Bolman, J. A. Sluijsken, J. Van der Sleijden, N. Holmberg, F. B. Zimmerman, [illegible], R. C. De Vassij, W. L. Sontag, J. J. Bocquet and E:s N:s Ward, in margin, Surat the 19th April Anno 1773. Committee. Monsieur William Andrew Price Chief for the affairs of the Honorable English Company and Governor of the Castle of the Mughal Fleet. Sir and Gentlemen, On the 16th of this month, we had the honor of receiving your honored letter dated the day before. Whatever hope we may have had that the Bania merchant Deanat would have been referred with his disputes before our Court of Justice for the reasons amply mentioned in our letter of the 2nd of January, it has nonetheless appeared to us from your mentioned letter that the President and Council of Bombay have thought fit to grant your intercession with the Nabob in order to remove all the impediments that have been placed for so long upon the trade of the noble Dutch Company, on these express conditions: that the disputes with the said Deanat be submitted to the most impartial arbitration. Surat. A. Translation 204. Some Monsieur William Andrew Price Chief for the affairs of the Honorable English Company and Governor of the Castle of the Mughal Fleet. Sir and Gentlemen, On the 16th of this month, we had the honor of receiving your honored letter dated the day before. Whatever hope we may have had that the Bania merchant Deanat would have been referred with his disputes before our Court of Justice for the reasons amply mentioned in our letter of the 2nd of January, it has nonetheless appeared to us from your mentioned letter that the President and Council of Bombay have thought fit to grant your intercession with the Nabob in order to remove all the impediments that have been placed for so long upon the trade of the noble Dutch Company, on these express conditions: that the disputes with the said Deanat be submitted to the most impartial arbitration. Surat. No. 10. A. Translation 204. Some
Dutch transcription
203 overgeweesen, zoo dwirgd ons de noodzaekelijkheijd, mitsga- „dens de sugt tot de goede Harmonie en om alle verschillen eindelijk eens te doen ophouden om in deeze haar wel Edelens vordering toe te stemmen, zoo als wij doen bij deesen, onder deeze Expreesse Clausule, dat deze onze Toegevendheijd nimmer zal kunnen strekken tot verminderinge van eenige van 's Comp:s voorregten en diergelijke gevallen nog dat dezelve nooit tot eenig voorbeeld voor den aan „staande sal worden genomen; En daar wij uwEdele bij desen betuijgen dat wij dus bereijds sijn om deeze verschillen langs den voorgeslaegen weg te verevenen, zoo denken wij met dat uw Ed: eenige objectie hebben kunnen dat de arbiters zijn Europeesen ten wederzijden ten genoegen Wij versoeken uw Ed: dan verders, om immels dat deese zaek en de andere differentien tusschen den Nabab en ons nae de billikheijd worden uijt den weg geruijmt, den geseiden stads Gouverneur te persicadeeren, dat meede eenen vrijen loop laet hebben aen den Koophandel van onse Edele Compagnie, die nu al bereeds den tijd van meer als twee maenden de markten tot Haare groote schaade belit geworden is, dat en het het minste heeft kunnen worden verkoft, en dat mede ten hoofsten nodig is om ons schip naebehooren te depecheeren, ingevolge van het geen waartoe den Heer sluijsken zig bij het afdoen der brootchiase geschillen aan de Heeren van het „sisteeren; gekoosen, waar op wij ons genoodzaakt vinden te in„ Committe te Bombaij verbonden heeft zijn wij bereijd om den eene Commissie met uw Edele vergaderinge dan wel aan de Heere Cheff te vertoonen de Origineele Teirmans van welke de Grans„ „laeten door gem: Heere sluijsken aen het zelve Committe overgegaan zijn ten bijwesen van ons indisputabel regt, „ten eijnde die Origineelen voor zoo verre Brootchia aengaat tegen de overgegevene Translaeten des gelievende te kunnen Confronteeren. wij zijn met alle agting /:onderstond:/ Agtbaere Meer en Heeren /:lager:/ Uwel Edele Agtb: zeer ootmoedige en gehoorsaeme Dienaeren /:was getekend:/ J. M. Bolman J. A. Cluijsken, J. V:n d:n Sleijden, N. Holmberg, F. B. Zimmerman, . . . . . . , R. C. Dde vassij, W. L. sontag, J. J. Bocquet en E:s N:s ward /inmangen:/ Couratte den 19. April A:o 1773: Committe Monsiua William Andress Price Cheff. pour la affaires de lhonnorable Com„ „paqnie d' Angliterre Ed Gouverneur du Chatiau de la flotte de Mogol Mensieur et Mossieurs Nu 16. de ce mois, nous avons eu lhouneur de recevoir votre honnouce lettre datte de la veille. Quelqu esperance que nous aijons aus que le marchand benian Deanat auroit ele renvoije avee ses desputes par devant nottee Cour de Justice pour les raisons amplement mentionnées dans notre lettre du 2me Janvier il nous a nean „moins apparu par votre mentionnee Lettre qere monsieur le president et: Conseil de Bomnbeeij aejent trouves bon dacerochea votre intercession aupres du Nabas afin de foire aitirea touls les empeshements que ont étez. auises de puis aussi longtems au Commerce de la noble Compagnie d' Hollande a ces expresses Conditions que les disputes avec le dit Deanat soit remise ae la plus in partiale arbitration. Souratte. A Traduction 204 Quelques Monsieur William Andreu Price Cheff pour la affaires de lhonnorable Com„ „pagnie d' Angliterre Ed Gouverneur du Chatiau de la flotte de Mogol Monsieur et Mossieirs. Nu 16. de ce mois, nous avons eu lhouneur de recevoir votre honnouce lettre datte de la veille. quelqu esperance que nous aijons aus que le marchand benian Deanat auroit ele renvoije avee ses desputes par devant nottee Cour de Justice pour les raisons amplement mentionnées dans notre lettre du 2=me Ianvier il nous a neats „moins apparu par votre mentionnee Lettue gere monsieur le president et: Conseil de Boinbeeij aejent trouves bon dacerocher votre intercession aupres du Nabas afin de foire ritirea touts les empechements que ont étez. auises de puis aussi longtems au Commerce de la noble Compagnie d' Hollande a ces expresses conditions que les disputes avec le dit Deanat soit aemise ae la plus in partiale arbitration. Souratte N=o 10. A. Traduction 204 Guelques
English
Whatever reasons we may have had, gentlemen, to insist that this matter of the Diwan be referred back to our jurisdiction, to which he explicitly submitted himself, necessity and the inclination, however, that we have for good harmony as well as to bring an end to all disputes, force us to consent to this request of these gentlemen, as we do by the present letter, under this express clause that this indulgence on our part shall never tend to diminish in any way the privileges of our Company in a similar case, nor may it in the future be cited as a precedent. And as by the present letter we show you that we are ready to end these disputes by the proposed way, we also think that you will have no objection to the arbitrators being Europeans chosen to mutual satisfaction, in which matter we are obliged to insist. We beg you furthermore, gentlemen, that while these affairs are being settled equitably between the Nawab and us, it may please you to effect that the said Governor also allow a free course to our commerce, which has been for two months so obstructed that we have not been able to sell the slightest thing, and which is also extremely necessary in order to be able properly to dispatch our vessel. In consequence of what Mr. Sluijsken committed himself to with the gentlemen of the Committee at Bombay upon settling the disputes of Broach, we are ready to show to a commission of your Council or to Mr. your Chief the original farmans, of which the translations were delivered to the said Committee by the mentioned Mr. Sluijsken, to prove our indisputable right, and in order to be able to confront, if this is agreeable to you, these originals, in so far as concerns Broach, with the translations delivered. We have the honour to be with all kind of esteem, at the bottom, Sir and Gentlemen, lower down, your most humble and most obedient servants, for the translation faithful, J. Goverts Junior. In the margin: Surat, 19 April 1773. To Bombay To Mr. Johan Hunter Sir, The misfortune that occurred to the ship of the Honourable Dutch Company in these roads would have prevented us from sending our annual reports to our High Superiors in a season that virtually halts all navigation here, were we not informed that your Honour is shortly to undertake the voyage to China with two ships, possibly through the Sunda Strait. It is under this assumption, Sir, that we very courteously request your Honour to be so kind as to take charge of the delivery of a box or packet of papers addressed to Their High Excellencies the Governor General and the Council of India at Batavia, and that your Honour then be pleased to deliver it, if possible in the Sunda Strait, or if that should not be feasible, then at Malacca, which will place us under a particular obligation and by which a pleasant service will be rendered to our High Superiors. We request therefore by the bearer of this, being an express pattamar who must cover the distance in 4 days, to be honoured with your Honour's reply, and we call ourselves with esteem, at the bottom, Sir, lower, your Honour's willing servants, still lower stood: the Director and Council of the Honourable Dutch Company at Surat, and by their order, was signed: E. N. Wiarde, provisional secretary. In the margin: Surat, 18 May Anno 1773. Lower: P.S. It would place us under a particular obligation if it were possible for your Honour to deliver our papers in the Sunda Strait. To John Hunter Esqr. Bombay: By the misfortune of the Noble Dutch East India Company's ship being stranded at this Bar, we would in this season that navigation from this place is almost entirely ceased, be deprived from an opportunity to forward our General Letters and papers, if we were not informed that within a short time you are to proceed to China with two ships, possibly by the way of the Straits of Sunda. It is in this supposition that we do request you most civilly, Sir, to trouble yourself with the delivery of a chest and packet with papers addressed to His Excellency, the Governor General and the Superior Council of India at Batavia, and that if possible you would cause the same delivery to be done in the Straits of Sunda, and if that could not be done, then at Malacca. Translation No 11: Which 2: of Dir.
Dutch transcription
205 Quelques raisons qoe nous aijons mestrs peur insister que se Deanaat soit renvoije à notre Iurisaction à lagulla il s'est expressement soumise la necessité, et l'inclination Cepandant que vous avons pour la bonne harmonie de même que pour faire Cesses- touts differents nois force de Consentire a cette demande de ces messieurs ainse que nous faisions por la preesente, sous cette expreesse clausule que Cette indulgence de notre part ne pourra Jamais trendre a diminieer en aucune facon les previle„ „ges de notre Compagnie en pareil cas, non plus quala venir elle puisse etue citee comme un Exemple et comme par la presente nous vous lemoignons être sprets a terminer Ces differents par la voije proposee nous pensons dussi que vous n'aurez aucune objection que les arbitres soijent des Europeens Choisis a une satisfaction mutullle sea quoi pois Sommas obligez d'insister Nous vous prions au surplas Messrs. que landis que ces affaires soijent terminees al aqui „table entre le Nabab et nous il vous plaise deffec„ „tuer que le dit Gouverneur laisse ausse un libre Cours anotre Commerce que est depuis deur mois tellement traverses que le on na pu vendre la maindre chose et ce que est aussi extre„ „mement necessaire pour pouvoir depecher con„ „venablement notre vaissean. En Consequence de ce a quoi sest engagie monsieur Sluijsken auxmesseeurs du Commité a Bombag en terminant les disputes de Broche, Nous sommas prels a montier a une Commission de votre Conseil ou a monsieur votre Chef. les phirmans originause dont Los traductions ontelezremises au dit Committe par le mentionnée monsieur sluijsker pour prouver notre droit indisputable, et afin de pouvoir Confronter si cela vous est agreable ces originauxe pour autant que regarde Baroche aee les traductions delivrees.— Nous avons lhonneur d'etre avee toute soate d' Estime /:aubas:/ Monsieur et Messieur /:plas. bas: / vos tres humbles ettres obeissands serviteuas /: poua Le Translation futsilhe:/ J. Goverts Junior /:en marge:/ Souratte le 19. April 1773:— de Bombaij Aan d' Mer Johan Hunter Mijn Heer. Het ongeluk aan het schip van de Edele Hollandse Compagnie ter deezer Rheede overgekomen, zoude ons versteeken, om onse Hooge superieuren onse Jaarlijkse berigten toe de senden, in een Jaargelij, dat genoegsaam den geheelen scheepsvaard alhier ophoud, soo wij niet geinformeert waeren, dat uwEdele eerstdaags met twee scheepen de reijse naar China staat aanteneemen, mogelijk wel door straat Sunda, Met is in desen vooronderstellingen Mijn Heer dat wij Uw Edele seer gedienstig versoeken, om sig te willen Chargeeren, met de bestellinge van een kas of pacquet papieren, gaddresseert aan Haar Hoog Edelheedens den Heere Gouverneur Generaal en de Raaden van India te Batavia, en dat uw Edele het selve als dan gelieve aftegeven, soo mogelijk in straat sunda, of als dat niet mogte kunnen geschieden dan op Mallacca het geen ons tot eene bijsondere verplig„ „tinge verstrekken en waarmede onse Hooge Superieuren een aangename dienst geschieden zal. Wij versoeken No 11: 206 dus dus met den brenger deses zijnde een Expresse pattemak die in 4. dagen overlopen moet met uw Edele antwoord te mogen worden vereerd, en noemen ons met agting /:onderstond:/ Mij Heer. / lager/ uw Edele Dienst Willige dienaaren /nog lager stond:/ den Directeur en Raad van de Edele Hollandse Compagnie te souratten en ter Ordonnantie van dezelve /was getekend:/ E. N. Wiarde p:l secretaris. /in margine:/ Couratta den 18. Maij A:o 1773: — /lager/ P. S. het zoude voor ons tot een bijsondere ver „pligtinge strekken wanneer het voor uw Ed: doenelijk was onse papieren in straat Sunda aftegeven Fo John Hunter &sqr. Bombaij: By the misfortune of the Kuble Dusch last India Companys schip being stranded at this Bar„ we would in this season that Navigation from this place is most entirely ceased, be deprived fram an opportunity to forward our General Letters & papers, if where not informed that within a short time you are to proceid to China with two skips, possi„ bly by the way of the strughts of Sunda;- It is in this sup, „position that we do request you most Civilly sir, to trouble Ejouer self with the delivery of a Chest & Pacquet with papers addresed to His Excellency, the Gouvernour General & the superior, Council of India at Batavia & that if possible you would cause the same delivery to be done in the streights of Sunda, and if thas could not be done, then at Malacca: Translation N:o 11: Which . 2: af Dir.
English
No. 12. Surat 13 May P.S. It would put us under a very particular obligation if it was possible for you to deliver these papers in the straits of Sunda. Which piece of particular kindness would lay us under the utmost obligation, and at the same time prove a very agreeable service to our High Superiors. We therefore do request to be favoured with your answer by the bearer, being an express pattamar hired to run over in 4 days, and subscribe ourselves with esteem, Sir, Your most obedient humble servant, The Director and Council for the Noble Dutch East India Company at Surat, and by orders of the same, signed: P. N. Wiardi, Secretary. For some years now, the ground on the north-east side of our wharf has been so washed away by the force of the currents, which push strongly against it, particularly during the usual drainage in the bad monsoon, that the stone stairs on the said side have been entirely undermined and are already beginning to sink down. In time, this could have such a consequence that both the land in front of it and that side portion of our wharf itself might be swallowed up by the water. Accordingly, having already obtained the advice of your engineer, Mr. Machiel, about this a year ago with the foreknowledge of Mr. Price, we took the decision, in order to break the force of the currents and to secure the ground against further washouts, to have a piling built in front of it to the length of 325 feet, which would consist Honourable Sir. To the Honourable Robert Gambier, Esquire, Member of the English Council, presently having the administration of the affairs of the Noble English Company and Governor of the Mogul's Castle and Fleet, 1773. Surat. of three rows of piles driven into the ground, protruding at least two feet above the highest water level, with the outermost row of piles sheeted with woodwork. As the permission of the Castle Governor is customarily required for this, I have the honour, as Your Honour presently presides at the head of affairs, to request most amicably hereby that permission, as well as to subsequently allow the engineer serving here in Your Noble Company, Machil, to serve us in this work with his good advice and expertise. With which I have the honour to be with esteem, Honourable Sir, Your Honour's humble servant, signed: J. M. Bosman, A. J. Sluijssen, J. V. d. Slijden, A. Holmberg, F. R. Zinmerman, A. C. de Vassij, W. Z. Fontrij, J. J. Bacques, and P. A. Wiardi. In the margin: Surat, the 24th of May, anno 1773. Sir, first member of the English Council, presently having the presidency and administration of the affairs of the Noble English Company, and Governor of the Castle and of the Mogul fleet. The ground on the north-east side of our wharf has for some years been so swept away by the force of the tides that overflow extremely, principally through the discharge of waters during the rains, that the stone stairway on the mentioned side is entirely undermined and begins to subside; and which could with time have such consequences that the land attached to it as well as the portion of that same side of our wharf might become engulfed by the water. On account of which, having for more than a year, with the knowledge of Mr. Price, consulted the advice of your engineer, Mr. Makniell, we No. 12. Translation. have resolved, in order to break the force of the tide and secure the ground from a greater washing away, to have constructed for this purpose a palisade of the length of 325 feet, consisting of 3 rows of piles driven into the bottom and raised at least two feet above the highest water, and that the outer row of piles be sheeted with timber. And needing for this purpose, as is customary, the consent of the Governor of the Castle, I have the honour to request it very amicably by this present from you, Sir, as currently presiding at the head of affairs, as well as to be willing to permit the current Lieutenant Engineer of your Noble Company, the said Mr. Macniell, to assist us in this work with his good advice and knowledge. It is with this that I have the honour to be with esteem, Sir, your very humble servant. For the translation, signed: J. Goverts Junior. In the margin: Surat, 24 May 1773. Sir! We had the honour to receive Your Honour's esteemed letter of the 18th current. It was particularly agreeable for us to learn from it Your Honour's willingness to take charge of some of our papers for our High Superiors at Batavia as far as Malacca, and we therefore take the liberty of committing the same hereby to Your Honour's care and goodness, with a most obliging request that it may please Your Honour to have them delivered as soon as possible to the Lord Governor at Malacca. The service which Your Honour will thereby render to the Noble Dutch Company we shall endeavour to acknowledge on all occasions, and we declare to be with the greatest esteem, Sir, Your Honour's humble servants, The Director and Council of Surat, and by order of the same, signed: E. N. Wiardi, Secretary. In the margin: Surat, the 29th of May, anno 1773. To the Honourable Johan Hunter, Esquire, No. 13. Bombay
Dutch transcription
No. 12. 208 Curat 13:en maij P: S: H would putus under a very particular Which piece op particularkind. ness would lay us under the utmost obligation, and at the same time prove a very agreable service to our High superiors: We therefore do request to be favourd with your answer by the bearer being an express 't pat. „mar hired to run over in 4: days, and subscribe our self with Esteem: Sir Aourmost oled:t: Humble servant The Directore & Council for the Noble Dutch East India Company at surat and by ordres of the same /:was geteekend:/ P N. Wiardi secret. obligation if it was possible for asou to deliver these papers in the streights of Sunda. ederd eenige Jacken is de grond van de noord oost zijde van onsen werf soodanig door de kragt der Broomen, welke daarop, voornamentlijk bij de gewoone afwateringe„ in de kwaede mousson sterk aandringen weggespoeld dat de steene trap aen gemelde sijde ten eenemaele ondermeijnd geworden en bereets-aen het weg sacken is, en het welke door de tijd van dat gevolg zoude zijn kunnen, dat zoo wel het land daar voor, als dat zijd gedeelte van dezelve onsen werff door het water ingeslokt wierd. — Dien volgens dan hier over al voor een Jaar geleden met voorkennisse van de Heer Puice het advis ingenomen hebbende van uwEdele ingeneur de Heer Machiel hebben wij het besluijt genomen ten eijnde de kragt der stroomen te breeken en de Grond voor verdere wegspoeling te be „veijligen, om daar voor te laten maaken een paalwerk ter lengte van 325. voeten en het welk zoude bestaan Wel Edele Weer. Aan Den Wel Edelen Heer Robert Gambier schildkappbens Lid van de Engelsche Raad thans hebbende de bestiering der affaire s van de Edele Engelsche Compagnie en Gouverneur van Smogols Casteel en Vloot 1773. Souratte. in 209 Monsaur Robert Gambier in drie rijen paelen in de Grond geheed, op zijn minste twee voeten boven het hoogste water uijtsekende en de buijtenste rije paalen beschooten met houtwerk ende hier toe benodigde zijnde de toestemminge van den Casteels Gouverneur volgens gewoonte heb ik d' Eer uw Edele als thans prasideerende aan het hoofd van zaeken, daarom bij desen gansch vriende „lijk te versoeken, als mede on vervolgens aan den hier mili„ „teerenden Jngeneur van woldele Edele Compagnie Machil te willen toestaan, van ois en dit werk met zijnen goeden raad ende kennisse te mogen dienen. Waar mede d' Eer heb met agting te zijn. /onderstond:/ WelEdele Heer . /laeger/ uwel Edeles onderdanige Dienaar /was getekend:) J. M: Bosman, A J: Sluijssen, J: V: d: slijden A Holmberg, F: 12: Zinmerman, A: C: de Vassij, W: Z. fontrg, J. J. Bacques & P. A. Weands /:in margine:/ Souratta den 24: Meij A:o 1773: Le Terraets du Cotte, du noord Es1: de notre Werff est depuis quelques annees tellement entraine par la force des marces que sij de bordent extrement prin„ „cipalment poala dicharge des Eauk durant pluies que la monléé de pierres du Colte mentionnéé en est entierement minee et Commence soffaisser; et ce que pourroit avec te tems avoir de telles suittes, que le lond que ij est abtaché aussi bien que la portio de ce meeme coto de notue Werff vint à etice englouti par lbau. Acause de quoi aijant de puis plues dui an„ aver la Cannoissance de monsieur Price consulte lavis de volre Jngenieur m. r Makniell nous Monsieur premioi munbre du Conseil Anglois, aijant presentement la: presidence en Gouverneur „trent des affaires de la noble Compagnie Angloise et Gouverneur du Chateau et de la vlotte du mogol. avons N:o 12. Traduction.. 210 avons resolus, a fin: de rompre la force de la marce et assurer le Terrain dun plus guand entrainement de faire construice pour cel effet une Estacade de la longuer de 325. pieds Consistant en 3. rangies de pelites en confonces dans le fond et eleres pour te moins. de deux spieds du dessus des plus hanteriex baux de Charpente. Ed aijant pr Cet effet besoin ainst que de coutume du Consentement du Gouverneur du chateau Jac= l'honneur de le requerir tres amicalement parla presente de vous monsheur Comme president actucelle ment à la lete des affaires de meme que de vouloir permettre au present Lieutenant Jngenieur de volue noble Com„ „pagnie le dit sieur macniell de nous assister dans cet ouvrage avec son bon Conceil et Lavoire Cest avec quoi Jai Lhonneur d'etre avec Estime /aabas. / monsieur / plus bas:/ volke Cres humble serviteur /:pour la Translation fat Signe I. Goverls Junior /: en margi:/ Couratte de 24: maij 1773: — de mlenie qu le premier Rang de spieux C'ambaisse, Mijno Heer! Wij hebben d' Eere gehad te ontfangen uwd Ed=e G'agte van den 18: Courant. Het was ons bijsonder aangenaam uijt dezelve te verne„ „men uwEdele berueijdwilligheijd om zig te beleeaden, met eenige onser papieren, voor onze Hoge Supperieuren te Batavia tot aan Malacca, en wij gebruijken dierhalven de vrijheijd, dezelve bij dezen aan Uw Edele sorge en Goedheijd op te dragen, met zeer gedienstig versoek dat het uwEdele behagen mag die zoo spoedig mogelijk aan den Heere Gouverneur te Mallacca te willen doen inhandigen. De dienst welke uwEdeles hier door aan de Edele Hollandse Compagnie sal bewijsen, sullen wij bij alle ge „legendheijd tragten te erkennen, en wij betuijgen met de meeste agting te zijn /:onderstond:/ Mijn Heer. /:lagger:/ uw Ed:s ootmoedige Dienaaren /nog lagerstond:/ den Directeur en Raad van Souratta en ter ordonnantie van dezelve /was getekend E. N. Wiandi f:s secretaris /:in margine:/ Souratta den 29. Maij A:o 1773: Aan Den Wel Edelen Heer Johan Hunter Schildknaep N:o 13. Rombaij
English
No. 13. 210 have resolved, in order to break the force of the sea and protect the land from being further washed away, to have constructed for this purpose a stockade of the length of 325 feet consisting of 3 rows of piles driven into the seabed and raised at least two feet above the highest woodwork. And needing for this purpose, as is customary, the consent of the Governor of the Castle, I have the honor to request very amicably by the present from you, Sir, as the current President heading affairs, as well as to kindly permit the present Lieutenant Engineer of your noble Company, the said Mr. Machiell, to assist us in this work with his good counsel and expertise. With this I have the honor to be with esteem, below, Sir, further below, your very humble servant, for the translation was signed I. G. Junior, in the margin, Surat, this 24 May 1773, as well as the first row of piles driven down. Sir! We have had the honor to receive your respected letter of the 18th instant. It was particularly agreeable to us to learn from it your readiness to charge yourself with some of our papers for our High Superiors in Batavia as far as Malacca, and we therefore take the liberty to entrust the same hereby to your care and kindness, with a very courteous request that it may please you to deliver them as soon as possible to the Governor in Malacca. The service which you will thereby render to the Noble Dutch Company we shall endeavor to acknowledge on every occasion, and we testify to be with the highest esteem, below, Sir, lower, your humble servants, still lower, the Director and Council of Surat, and by order of the same, was signed E. N. Wiardi, provisional secretary, in the margin, Surat, 29 May Anno 1773. To the Well-Noble Johan Hunter, Esquire, Bombay. No. 13. 210 have resolved, in order to break the force of the sea and protect the land from being further washed away, to have constructed for this purpose a stockade of the length of 325 feet consisting of 3 rows of piles driven into the seabed and raised at least two feet above the highest woodwork. And needing for this purpose, as is customary, the consent of the Governor of the Castle, I have the honor to request very amicably by the present from you, Sir, as the current President heading affairs, as well as to kindly permit the present Lieutenant Engineer of your noble Company, the said Mr. Machiell, to assist us in this work with his good counsel and expertise. With this I have the honor to be with esteem, below, Sir, further below, your very humble servant, for the translation was signed I. G. Junior, in the margin, Surat, this 24 May 1773, as well as the first row of piles driven down. Sir! We have had the honor to receive your respected letter of the 18th instant. It was particularly agreeable to us to learn from it your readiness to charge yourself with some of our papers for our High Superiors in Batavia as far as Malacca, and we therefore take the liberty to entrust the same hereby to your care and kindness, with a very courteous request that it may please you to deliver them as soon as possible to the Governor in Malacca. The service which you will thereby render to the Noble Dutch Company we shall endeavor to acknowledge on every occasion, and we testify to be with the highest esteem, below, Sir, lower, your humble servants, still lower, the Director and Council of Surat, and by order of the same, was signed E. N. Wiardi, provisional secretary, in the margin, Surat, 29 May Anno 1773. To the Well-Noble Johan Hunter, Esquire, Bombay. 210 have resolved, in order to break the force of the sea and protect the land from being further washed away, to have constructed for this purpose a stockade of the length of 325 feet consisting of 3 rows of piles driven into the seabed and raised at least two feet above the highest woodwork. And needing for this purpose, as is customary, the consent of the Governor of the Castle, I have the honor to request very amicably by the present from you, Sir, as the current President heading affairs, as well as to kindly permit the present Lieutenant Engineer of your noble Company, the said Mr. Macniell, to assist us in this work with his good counsel and expertise. With this I have the honor to be with esteem, below, Sir, further below, your very humble servant, for the translation was signed I. G. Junior, in the margin, Surat, this 24 May 1773, as well as the first row of piles driven down. Sir! We have had the honor to receive your respected letter of the 18th instant. It was particularly agreeable to us to learn from it your readiness to charge yourself with some of our papers for our High Superiors in Batavia as far as Malacca, and we therefore take the liberty to entrust the same hereby to your care and kindness, with a very courteous request that it may please you to deliver them as soon as possible to the Governor in Malacca. The service which you will thereby render to the Noble Dutch Company we shall endeavor to acknowledge on every occasion, and we testify to be with the highest esteem, below, Sir, lower, your humble servants, still lower, the Director and Council of Surat, and by order of the same, was signed E. N. Wiardi, provisional secretary, in the margin, Surat, 29 May Anno 1773. To the Well-Noble Johan Hunter, Esquire, Bombay. No. 13.
Dutch transcription
N:o 13. 210 avons resolus, aefin: de rompre, la force de la me et assurer le Terrain dun plus quand entraines de faire contruice pour cel effet une Estacade la longuer de 325. pieds Consistant en 3. rangee pelites en confonces dans le fond et eleres por moins. de deux spieds de dessus des plus hantenien de Charpente. Ed aijant pr cet effet besoin ainst que de Cout„ die Consentement de Gouverneur du chateau Ja l'honneur de le requerirtres amicalement pa presente de vous monsheur Comme president actue à la lite des affaires de même que de vouloir pean au present Lieutenant Jngenieur de volue noble „pagnie le dit sieur machiell de nous assister cet ouvrage avec son bon Conceil et Savoire Cest avec quoi Jai Lhonneur d'etre avec Esti /aabas. / monsieur / plus bas:/ volke Cres hun serviteur /: pour la Translation fat signe I. G. Junior /: en marg:/ Couratte de 24: maij 177 de meeme qu le premier Rang de Ppieux l'ambai Mijno Heer! Wij hebben de Eere gehad te ontfangen uwd Ed=s G'agte van den 18: Courant. Het was ons bijsonder aangenaam uijt dezelve te vernre„ „men uwEdele beruijdwilligheijd om zig te beleaden, met eenige onser papieren, voor onze Hoge Superieuren te Batavia tot aan Malacca, en wij gebruijken dierhalven de vrigheijd, dezelve bij dezen aan Uw Edele sorge en goedheijd op te dragen, met zeer gedienstig versoek dat het uwEdele behagen mag die zoo spoedig mogelijk aan den Heere Gouverneur te Mallacca te willen doen De dienst welke uwEdeles hier door aan de Edele Hollandse Compagnie sal bewijsen, sullen wij bij alle ge „legendheijd trregten te erkennen, en wij betuijgen met de meeste agting te zijn /:onderstond:/ Mijn Heer. /:lager:/ uw Ed: ootmoedige Dienaaren /nog lagenstond:/ den Directeur en Raad van Souratta en ter ordonnantie van dezelve /was getekend E. N. Wiardi p:l secretaris /:in margine:/ Souratta den 29. Maij A:o 1773: inhandigen. Aan Den Wel Edelen Heer Johan Hunter Schildknaep Rombaij N:o 13. 210 avons resolus, aefin: de rompre, la force de la mi et assurer le Terrain dun plus grand entrainer de faire construice pour cel effet une Estacade la longuer de 325. pieds Consistant en 3. range pelites en confonces dans le fond et eleves po„ moins. de deux pieds du dessus des plus hantenea de Charpente. E aijant pr cet effet besoin ainst que de Cour die Consentement de Gouverneur du chateau Je l'honneur de le requerir tres amicalement pa presente de vous monsheur Comme president actie à la lite des affaires de meme que de vouloir pern au present Lieutenant Jngenieur de volue noble „pagnie le dit sieur machiell de nous assister cet ouvrage avec son bon Conceil et Lavoire Cest avec quoi Jai Lhonneur d'etre avec Ese /aabas. / monsieur / plus bas:/ volke Cres heer serviteur /: pour la Translation fat signe I. e Junior /: en marg:/ Couratte Ce 24:' maij 17: de meesie qu le premier Rang de sppieux C'amba Mijn Heer. Wij hebben de Eere gehad te ontfangen uwd Ed=s G'agte van den 18: Courant. Het was ons bijsonder aangenaam uijt dezelve te verna„ „men uwEdele bereijdwilligheijd om zig te belleaden, met eenige onser papieren, voor onze Hoge Superieuren te Batavia tot aan Malacca, en wij gebruijken dierhalven de vrijheijd, dezelve bij dezen aan uw Edele sorge en Goedheijd op te dragen, met zeer gedienstig versoek dat het uwEdele behagen mag die zoo spoedig mogelijk aan den Heere Gouverneur te Mallacca te willen doen De dienst welke uwEdeles hier door aan de Edele Hollandse Compagnie sal bewijsen, sullen wij bij alle ge„ „legendheijd deregten te erkennen, en wij betuijgen met de meeste agting te zijn /:onderstond:/ Mijn Heer. /:laeger:/ uw Ed:s ootmoedige Dienaaren / nog lagerstond:/ den Directeur en Raad van Souratta en ter ordonnantie van dezelve /was getekend E. N. Wiardi p:l secretaris /:in margine:/ Souratta den 29. Maij A:o 1773: inhandigen. Aan Dein Wel Edelen Heer Johan Hunter Schildknaep Rombaij 210 avons resolus, aefin: de rompre, la fonce de la sr et assurer le Terrain dun plus guand entraine de faire construice pour cel effet une Estacade la longuer de 325. pieds Consistant en 3. range pelites en confonces dans le fond et eleres po moins. de deix pieds du dessus des plus hantesat de Charpente. E aijant pr cet effet besoin ainst que de Cour die Consentement de Gouverneur du chateau J l'honneur de le requerir tres amicalement po presente de vous monsieur Comme president actie à la lite des affaires de même que de vouloir pear au present Lieutenant Jngeneur de volue noble „pagnie le dit sieur macniell de nous assister cet ouvrage avec son bon Conceil et savoire Cest avec quoi Jai Lhonneur d' etre avec Esc /aabas. / monsieur / plus bas:/ volke Cres hier serviteur /:pour la Translation fat signe I. Junior /: en marg:/ Couratte Ce 24: maij 17: de mletre qu le premier Rang de spieuxe l'ambe Mijno Heer! Wij hebben d' Eere gehad te ontfangen uw Ed=s G' agte van den 18: Courant. Het was ons bijsonder aangenaam uijt dezelve te verne„ „men uwEdele bereijdwilligheijd om zig te beleaden, met eenige onser papieren, voor onze Hoge Supperieuren te Batavia tot aan Malacca, en wij gebruijken dierhalven de vrijheijd, dezelve bij dezen aan uw Edele sorge en Goedheijd op te dragen, met zeer gedienstig versoek dat het uwEdele behagen mag die zoo spoedig mogelijk aan den Heere Gouverneur te Mallacca te willen doen De dienst welke uwEdeles hier door aan de Edele Hollandse Compagnie sal bewijsen, sullen wij bij alle ge „legendheijd trregten te erkennen, en wij betuijgen met de meeste agting te zijn /:onderstond:/ Mijn Heer. /:lager:/ uw Ed: oolmoedige Dienaaren / nog lagerstond:/ den Directeur en Raad van Souratta en ter ordonnantie van dezelve /was getekend E. N. Wiardi p:l secretaris /:in margine:/ Souratta den 29. Maij A:o 1773: in handigen. Aan Din Wel Edelen Heer Johan Hunter Schildknaep Bombaij N:o 13.
English
210 have resolved, in order to break the force of the [illegible] and protect the land from further erosion, to have a stockade constructed for this purpose with a length of 325 feet, consisting of 3 rows of piles driven into the bed and rising at least two feet above the highest timber frame. And needing for this purpose, as well as [illegible], the consent of the Governor of the Castle, I have the honour to request it very amicably by this present letter from you, Sir, as acting President at the head of affairs, as well as to kindly permit the current Lieutenant Engineer of your noble Company, the said Mr. Machiell, to assist us in this work with his good advice and expertise. With which I have the honour to be with [illegible] / at the bottom / Sir / lower / your very humble servant / for the translation was signed J. [illegible] Junior / in the margin: Surat this 24th May 17[illegible] that the first row of piles [illegible] Sir. We have had the honour to receive your Honour's esteemed letter of the 18th current. It was particularly agreeable to us to learn from it your Honour's willingness to take charge of some of our papers for our High Superiors in Batavia as far as Malacca, and we therefore take the liberty to commit the same by this present letter to your Honour's care and goodness, with the very courteous request that it may please your Honour to have them delivered as soon as possible to the Lord Governor in Malacca. The service which your Honour will thereby render to the Noble Dutch Company, we shall endeavour to acknowledge on every occasion, and we declare to be with the greatest esteem / below stood: / Sir. / lower: / your Honour's humble servants / even lower stood: / the Director and Council of Surat, and by order of the same / was signed E. N. Wiardi, provisional Secretary / in the margin: / Surat the 29th May Anno 1773. To the Honourable Mr. Johan Hunter, Esquire, Bombay. No. 13. John Hunter Esqr Bombay 24 We have had the honour to receive your favour of the 18th instant: 4 16 It was very agreeable to us to experience thereby the readiness with which you have been pleased to charge yourself with some of our advices for our High Superiors at Batavia as far as Malacca, and in consequence thereof, we now take the liberty to offer the same to your kindness and care, requesting very civilly that you will be pleased to forward the same as soon as possible to the Honourable the Governor of that place. The service you hereby are rendering the Noble Dutch East India Company we will upon all occasions endeavour to acknowledge, and we protest to be with the greatest esteem. Translation No. 13: 212 Surat 29th May 1773: Your most obedient & most humble servants The Honourable the Director & Council at Surat, and by orders of the same. / was signed: / P: N: Wiardi: Secretary. Having been honoured with your Honour's agreeable letter of the 19th of this month, we have the honour to inform your Honour hereby that the two arbitrators who will decide on our behalf the disputes with the Banyan merchant Deanaet, belonging under the jurisdiction of your Honourable Company, are Messrs. Sluijsken and van der Sleijden, while we request to be informed which arbitrators have been appointed for this purpose on the part of the said Deanaet. Wherewith we remain with true esteem / below stood: / Honourable Sir and Gentlemen. / lower: / your Honours' humble and obedient servants / was signed: / M. J. Bosman, S. C. Sluijsken, J. van der Sleijden, N. Holmberg, F. B. Zimmerman, R. C. de Wassij, W. L. Sontag, J. J. Bocquet, and E. N. Wiardi. / in the margin: / Surat the 23rd June Anno 1773. Honourable Gentlemen. To the Honourable Mr. Robert Gambier, Esquire, Chief Resident Member, together with the other members of the Council having the administration of the affairs of the Noble English Company in Surat. No. 14. 213 Translation No. 14. Mr. Robert Gambier, Esquire, first member, President, and the other members of the Council having the administration of the affairs of the Noble English Company. Sir and Gentlemen! Having been honoured with your agreeable letter of the 19th current, we have the honour to communicate to you by this present that the two arbitrators who will decide on our behalf the disputes with the merchant Deanaet, Banyan under the protection of your noble Company, are Messrs. Sluijsken and van der Sleijden. While we pray you to be informed who the arbitrators appointed for this purpose on the part of the said Deanaet are. We are with perfect esteem / at the bottom: / Sir and Gentlemen / lower: / your humble and obedient servants / for the translation / was signed / J. Goverts Jr. / in the margin: / Surat this 23rd June 1773. Agreed. Surat. J. Goverts Translation of an English letter written by Mr. Robert Gambier, conducting the affairs of the Noble English East India Company, together with the Council, to the Honourable, Worshipful Mr. Martinus Joan Bosman, Esquire, Director on behalf of the Noble Dutch East India Company and the Council at Surat, the 7th February 1773, and received here on the same date. Honourable Sir and Gentlemen! Whereas we have recently received the views of our Superiors on the various letters and papers exchanged between us concerning the case and dispute between your Honours and the Nabob, 214
Dutch transcription
210 avons resolus, aefin de rompre, la force de la s et assurer le Terrain dun plus grand entraine de faire construice pour cel effet une Estacade la longuer de 325. pieds Consistant en 3. range pelites en confonces dans le fond et eleres po moins. de deux pieds du dessus des plus hautera de Charpente. Ed aijant pr cet effet besoin ainst que de Cou„ du Consentement de Gouverneur du chateau J l'honneur de le requerir tres amicalement po presente de vous monsieur Comme president actie à la lite des affaires de même que de vouloir pear„ au present Lieutenans Jngenieur de votue noble „pagnie le dit sieur machiell de nous assister cet ouvrage avec son bon conceil et Lavoire Cest avec quoi Jai Lhonneur d'etre avec EDe /aabas. / monsieur / plues bas:/ volke laes heer serviteur /: pour la Translation fat signe I. e Junior /: en marg:/ Couratte ce 24:' maij 17: de mlisie que le premier Rang de sieux C'ambo Mijno Heer. Wij hebben d' Eere gehad te ontfangen uw Edes G'agte van den 18: Courant. Het was ons bijsonder aangenaam uijt dezelve te verne„ „men uwEdele beruijdwilligheijd om zig te beleeaden, met eenige onser papieren, voor onze Hoge Supperieuren te Batavia tot aan Malacca, en wij gebruijken dierhalven de vrijheijd, dezelve bij dezen aan Uw Edele sorge en Goedheijd op te dragen, met zeer gedienstig versoek dat het uwEdele behagen mag die zoo spoedig mogelijk aan den Heere Gouverneur te Mallacca te willen doen De dienst welke uwEdeles hier door aan de Edele Hollandse Compagnie sal bewijsen, sullen wij bij alle ge „legendheijd tragten te erkennen, en wij betuijgen met de meeste agting te zijn /:onderstond:/ Mijn Heer. /:lager:/ uw Ed:s ootmoedige Dienaaren / nog lagerstond:/ den Directeur en Raad van Souratta en ter ordonnantie van dezelve /was getekend E. N. Wiardi p:l secretaris /:in margine:/ Souratta den 29. Maij A:o 1773: inhandigen. Aan Den wel Edelen Heer Johan Hunter Schildknaep Bombaij No 13. John Hunter Esqr Dombar 24 Wy have had the honour to receive jour favour of the 18th instant: 4 16 It was very agreable to us to experience there bij the reai„ „diness with which 2ow have been pleased to charge you self with same of our advices for our High supersors at Datavia as far as Malacca and in consequence ae there of, we now take the Liberty to offer the same to your kindness and Care, requesting very civilly that you will be pleased to forward the same as soon as possible to the Huble the Gouvernour of that place. The service &sou hare by are rendering the Noble Dieter Last Jndia Company we will upon all occasians en deavour to deknowledge, and we protest to be with the ir Translation N:o 13: greatest P 212 Jurat 29:tb mai 1773: Jourmost Obedients & most Humble servants The W: the Directore & Council at surat and by ordres of the same. /:was geteekend:/ P: N: Wiardi: Secret. s greatest &steem. Verherd geworden zijnde met uwel Edele aangenaeme missive van den 19. dezes maands, hebben wij d' Eer uwel Edele bij deesen te bedeelen; dat de twee goede mannen welke de verschillen met den onder de Justitie van uw Edele Edele Compagnie gehoorende ben jaars koopman Deanaet van onze zijde sullen beslassen zijn de Heeren Sluijsken en van der sleijden, terwijl wij versoeken te mogen worden geinformeert; welke goede mannen deiaa toe van de kant van gem: Deanaet zijn benoemd. Waarmede met waare agting zijn /:onderstond:/ Wel „ Edele Heer en Heeren. /lager:/ uwel Edelens ootmoedige en Gehoorsaame Dienaeren /was getekend:/ M:s J. Bosman, 8. 7. Sluijsken, J. v:n d:n Sleijden, N. Holmberg F: B. zi„ „merman, RE C. de Wassij, W: L: Sontag, J. J. Bocquet en E. N„s Wiardi. /:in margine:/ Souratta den 23. Junij A:o 1773: Wel Edele Heeren Heeren. Souratta Robbert Gambier Es q=r Eerste Rissideerende Lid benevens de vendere leden van den Raad, hebbende de bestiering der affaires van de Edele bugilseckie Compagnie Aan Den welEdelen Heer in No. 14. 213 Traduction No. 14. Monsieer Robert Gambier Lengjer primier menbue president et les autres menbues du Conseil aijand l'administration des affaires de la noble Compagnie Angeloise Monsieur et Messieurs! Aijant de honnorez avec votre aquiable lettere de 19. me Courant. Nous avons lhonneur de vous Communiquer par la presente que les cleuxe Arbitaes qué decideront de notre coté lis Differents avec le marchard Deanat benjaen sous la protection de votre noble Compagnie sont mes„ „sieurs Sluijskenet van der Sleijden. Sandis que nous vous prions être informez, quels sont les Aabitres nommez a cet effet du Coté du dit Deanat. Nous sommes avec une parfaite Estime /:aubas:/ mens:r et messicias. /:plees bois:/ vos Humbles et Obeissants servitenas /: pan la Translation:/ Juf signé/ J. Goverts J:r /:enmarge:/ Beeratte ce 23. Iuin 1773:— Accordeerd souratte. J:Govert p s E9C: Not Translaat Engj: Missive geschreeven door d' Heer Robbert Gambiek Waarneemende de zaaken, der Ed„le Eng: Oost Ind: Compagnie beneevens den Raad, Aan den Wel Ed: Agtb: Heer Martinus Joan Bosman schildknaap Directeur van weegens d' Ed. Holt„ oost Jn„ „dise Compagnie en den raed te Soeratta den 7„e februarij 1773: & alhier op denzelven datum ontfangen, Ed: Heer en Heeren! Nademaal wij onlangs de gevoe„ „lens van onse superieuren op de verschijde„ „ne tusschen ons verhandelde Brieven en Papieren aangaande de Zaak en ques„ „tie tusschens UE Ed k: den Nabal, ontfangen hebben 214 No door d' Heer Rolbert Gambieh Waarneemende de zaaken, der Ed„l Eng: Oost Ind: Compagnie beneevens den Raad, Aan den WelEd: Agtb: Heer Martinus Joan Bosman schildknaap Directeur van weegens d' Ed. Holt„ oost Jn„ „dise Compagnie en den raed te Soeratta den 7„e februarij 1773: & alhier op denzelven datum ontfangen, Ed: Heer en Heeren!. Translaat Eng: Missive geschreeven Nademaal wij onlangs de gevoe„ „lens van onse superieuren op de verschijde„ „ne tusschen ons verhandelde Brieven en Papieren aangaande de Zaak Jen ques„ „tie tusschens r UVEd: &k den Nabab, ontfangen hebben 214